Andezeno: Historic Centre, Churches and Rural Heritage

Andezeno between the hilltop centre and rural history

Andezeno reveals its historic character in the Chiocciola di Andezeno. It is the original town centre located on the hill. Small lanes form the historic centre there, characterised by fortification walls dating from the 18th century. Via Abate Villa takes you into the Chiocciola to an important viewpoint.

Farmsteads, irrigation and rural heritage

The rural history includes several clearly distinguishable examples. Cascina Fruttera is a typical linear farmstead with an enclosed courtyard, dating from the 17th or 18th century. Cascina Fruttera was chosen as a summer residence by Joseph De Maistre. Cascina Cesole is an 18th-century farmstead with an enclosed courtyard. It includes a granary, a stable, a farmhouse and a Baroque chapel dedicated to the Madonna del Rosario.

Water management is also connected with this cultural heritage. The irrigation system used a section of the Rio Santena with a gradient, known as the Cascate di Cesole. Near Cascina Cesole, among blackberry bushes, are the remains of the enclosing walls and water wheel of an old watermill, which regulated the flow from the nearby Rio Santena for irrigating the surrounding fields.

Churches with different historical layers

The religious buildings of Andezeno span several eras. The Chiesa Cimiteriale di San Giorgio dates from the 12th century and belongs to the Romanesque parish church type of Monferrato. Roman bricks and marble were reused in its exterior wall; a gravestone bears the crossed tails of two dolphins. The parish church of San Giorgio was built between 1753 and 1759 and consecrated in 1764. It preserves the relics and body of Saint Justina.

Museo Balbiano and practical information

The Museo Balbiano houses a collection of objects from everyday peasant life in times gone by and more than 2,000 items. The access routes to the Museo Balbiano are accessible to people with disabilities. Reservations are required for guided tours and tastings. If you plan to include this cultural highlight, you can take accessibility and reservations into account early in your planning.

Experience Andezeno on foot or by bike

Physical activity can also be combined with cultural destinations. The Marentino–Andezeno circular route reaches the Romanesque church of San Giorgio in Andezeno. The cycling tour between Montaldo, Pavarolo and Andezeno reaches Andezeno’s spirally laid-out historic centre from Montaldo via a green-lined path. This allows you to distinguish between a circular route and a cycling tour and align your chosen travel arrangements with your interests. Those choosing a hotel in Andezeno can match cultural destinations such as the Chiocciola, San Giorgio and the Museo Balbiano with their personal preference for a circular route or cycling tour.

More destinations for your planning

More destinations for your planning include Montaldo Torinese, Foglizzo, Borgone Susa, Brosso, San Gillio, Roure, Caluso and Agliè.

For the higher-level travel overview: Turin.