Mathi: History, San Mauro Abate and Paths along the Stura

Mathi combines historic landmarks, ecclesiastical art and paths along the Stura di Lanzo. If you are looking for an Italian town with cultural points of interest and opportunities for walks or bike rides, you can discover different sides of the same municipality here.

Castle Tower, Ricetto and Parish Church

Only the Torrione tower remains of Mathi’s medieval castle. The single surviving tower points to the town’s medieval past, while further traces of an old ricetto can be found near the parish church. Faint remains of this historic area have been preserved along the Bealera and on the paths from Via Rivera to Via Grosso.

In 1342, a ricetto was built in Mathi on the orders of Prince Giacomo d’Acaia as a shelter for people, animals and other possessions in times of war. This function gives the historic subject a clear chronological and social context, without requiring you to focus on a single building.

The present-day parish church of San Mauro Abate dates back to the 16th century and was built on the ruins of a chapel constructed at the end of the 12th century. Inside are decorations by the local painter Sergio Tappero Merlo. The Chapel of the Sacred Heart also features scenes from the life of Jesus, while the Consolata Chapel contains scenes of the Madonna.

Villa Bosso-Ahlstrom and Paper Production

Among Mathi’s historic buildings is Villa Bosso-Ahlstrom, a historic villa with its own park. The park of Villa Bosso is used at various times of the year for performances, concerts and a range of leisure activities. The site is therefore connected not only with architecture, but also with cultural events and public life.

Another way into the town’s history is through paper production. It dates back to 1836 and Michele Antonio Varetto, and shaped an important aspect of Mathi’s development. Those interested in the connection between craftsmanship, the economy and local history will find a distinct topic here alongside the castle, ricetto and church.

Cycling and Walking Paths along the Stura di Lanzo

Mathi is part of Corona Verde Stura, a network of cycling and walking paths along the Torrente Stura di Lanzo. The network is designed for varied use in support of sustainable recreation and sustainable tourism. This allows you to combine cultural visits with outdoor activity, without prescribing a single way to explore the area.

Along the Corona Verde cycling and walking path, a 9 km route runs from Mathi to Nole and can be covered on foot or by bicycle. In addition, the Corona Verde geo-itinerary running along the Stura di Lanzo passes through Mathi and can be explored by mountain bike. These two options offer different possibilities for a leisurely walk, a cycling loop or a more athletic ride.

Getting There and Planning Your Trip

For your journey, Mathi railway station offers an assistance service for people with disabilities and reduced mobility. When choosing a hotel or accommodation in Mathi, you can therefore focus on your own priorities: historic sites and ecclesiastical art, paths for walking or cycling, as well as cultural events and local traditions.

The Sagra della Castagna e dei prodotti d’autunno is part of the local tradition, a regularly held local autumn festival in Mathi. The festival adds a seasonal connection to local autumn produce alongside the historic and landscape-related themes. When planning your trip, you can thus weigh up culture, outdoor activity and the character of a local festival.

More Places for Planning Your Trip

If you would like to discover other places from the same selection in addition to Mathi, you can also look into Garibaldi, Carella, Bricherasio, Rondissone, Sparone, Piossasco, Lombardore and Rosta.

For the higher-level travel overview: Turin.