Ivrea: UNESCO Heritage, Fortress and Routes through Canavese

Ivrea: UNESCO heritage with its own urban history

The industrial city of Ivrea, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is an industrial and sociocultural project of the 20th century, with buildings for production, administration, social services and housing. The project therefore encompasses not only factory buildings but also areas of daily life. Ivrea's UNESCO visitor centre is free for everyone to access; there you will find maps of the World Heritage site area, a 3D model and examples of Olivetti factory production.

Fortress and history in the centre

In Ivrea's historic centre, a walkable route leads through Roman and medieval history. The Castello di Ivrea was built in 1358 at the behest of Amadeo VI of Savoy and still retains the character of a defensive fortress. During visits, it allows you to explore the large inner courtyard, the old cells and the battlements. From the towers, the view extends across the city, Ivrea's glacial amphitheatre, the Canavese and the entrance to the Aosta Valley.

Roman traces, sacred architecture and the Ponte Vecchio

At Ivrea's Roman amphitheatre, the foundations of the elliptical surrounding walls and underground animal passages are still visible. The medieval Torre, also known as the Campanile di Santo Stefano, is the only surviving testimony to one of Ivrea's oldest places of worship: the Santo Stefano Benedictine abbey complex. Ivrea Cathedral is Romanesque in origin. The Ponte Vecchio is a Roman bridge over the Dora Baltea, built around the 3rd century. Behind it lies the Borghetto, a fortified area with old houses and craft shops.

Routes for different types of travel

If you would like to explore Ivrea independently, the MAAM (Museo all’aperto delle architetture moderne olivettiane) offers a route of about 2 km along Via Jervis and the adjoining areas; it can be visited independently. The approximate length of the MAAM route also makes it possible to define it as a self-contained item on a day's itinerary in Ivrea. The Canavese section of the Via Francigena also runs through Ivrea. It is designed for travellers on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. This allows you to include different modes of transport in your exploration of the area.

Art, flavour and a spectacular highlight

At the Museo Civico Pier Alessandro Garda, the collection of Oriental art comprises more than 500 works from Japan, as well as Chinese and other Asian objects. For a local taste, try the Torta '900 at the historic Balla pastry shop in Ivrea. The Torta '900 complements a visit to the Museo Civico with a local culinary stop. The event culminates in the famous and spectacular Battle of the Oranges.

Plan Ivrea according to your own interests

This results in a broad but clearly defined profile for planning your trip: you can combine architecture and history with an independently walkable urban experience, experience Ivrea on the Canavese section of the Via Francigena or supplement your stay with a museum, pastry shop and event. In Ivrea, you can structure your day around the historic sites, the approximately 2 km-long MAAM route and the Canavese section of the Via Francigena.

More destinations for your planning

Albiano D’ivrea, Arignano, Garibaldi, Cinzano, Nichelino, Roletto, Villafranca Piemonte and Pavone Canavese.

To the overarching travel overview: Turin.