Discover Piverone: Lake, Hills and Culture

Piverone between Lake and Hills

Piverone lies on the slopes of the Serra morenica di Ivrea; the municipal area extends from the middle water level of Lake Viverone at 230 metres above sea level to the hilltop at 525 metres. This range shapes the character of the town: lakeshore, hills and terraced vineyards are among the different landscapes you can take into account when planning your days. The terraced vineyards in the hills around Piverone produce, among other things, Erbaluce wines.

Trails with Lake and Hill Landscapes

For active days, two distinctive routes are central in Piverone. The route Anello V – Al Lago per le Vigne starts at the Parco Giochi in Piverone, follows a panoramic descent to the tourist locality of Anzasco on Lake Viverone and returns to Piverone town centre.

The Via Francigena also passes through a scenically distinctive section. After the Gesiun, a long panoramic stretch follows, with views of Lake Viverone and the Cella di San Michele. At the Gesiun, only the surrounding walls and remains of a fresco have survived. The Gesiun is located in the Località Torrone of Piverone, at the crossroads of two country roads.

Churches, Towers and Farming Culture

The Chiesa Parrocchiale dei Santi Pietro e Lorenzo preserves several layers of the town’s history. It was originally Romanesque and may have been the community’s old parish church before the construction of the Borgo franco. The church contains a fresco of the Madonna and Child with Saint Anne from the second decade of the 16th century, created by an artist from the circle of Defendente Ferrari. The Baroque high altar was created in 1771 by Francesco Olgiati from Viggiù.

In the town centre, the Cinque Torri di Piverone are an important testimony to the Middle Ages. Another distinctive architectural feature is the Torre-porta campanaria o dell’orologio in Via del Torrione. The massive gate has a round arch, loopholes for the three Bolzoni of the two former drawbridges and Ghibelline crenellations; today it serves as a bell and clock tower.

The agricultural and ethnographic museum preserves evidence of rural society and agricultural work. Together with the vineyards, it creates an image of Piverone in which landscape, agriculture and built history stand closely side by side.

Natural Area around Lake Viverone

Lake Viverone and its shore area belong to the municipalities of Azeglio, Borgo d'Ale, Piverone and Viverone. Because of its valuable animal and plant communities, the lake has been designated a Site of Community Importance and recognised and protected by the European Union. Significant stands of large sedges grow at the Maresco di Piverone. If you are looking for a hotel in Piverone, you can therefore weigh up the town’s different landscape and cultural features and focus your days on trails, the lake, vineyards or history.

More Destinations

Andezeno, San Raffaele, Noasca, Borgaro Torinese, San Maurizio Canavese, Caprie, Orbassano, Villar Pellice

To the higher-level travel overview: Turin.