Cittadellarte is located in Biella in the former Lanificio Trombetta, a disused factory in the city’s historic textile district. Today, works by Michelangelo Pistoletto are displayed there. This brings Biella’s former textile industry and a contemporary art destination together in one place. Guided tours take place every Saturday and Sunday at three different times. Groups and school classes can also book guided tours from Tuesday to Friday. Check the current tour schedule before your trip.
City history between Piazzo and the museums
The Museo del Territorio Biellese spans a period from prehistory to the 20th century. Its exhibition is divided into an archaeological section and a historical-artistic section. Exploring the city’s history also leads to Piazzo, Biella’s higher district: its history dates back to 1160, when work began to fortify the hill.
Among the older buildings is Biella’s Battistero. It is a Lombard Romanesque building, erected in the second half of the 10th century on the remains of a Roman burial ground. The Chiesa di San Giacomo offers a different historical perspective: the Gothic church was built in the early 13th century and has been altered several times. The foundation stone of the Chiesa di San Sebastiano was laid in 1500. These buildings reveal different chapters of the city’s history without reducing it to a single era.
The Ricetto di Candelo also stands out for its form: its approximately 13,000-square-metre layout is pseudo-polygonal and enclosed by defensive walls. Another way to explore the cultural sites of the Biellese is through the Rete Museale Biellese. It brings together ecomuseums, museums, castles, palaces, natural areas and other places of interest across the Biellese. As of 2025, it included 47 different museums and cultural institutions in 32 municipalities.
Culinary specialities include the crisp, rectangular Canestrelli di Biella: wafers with a single layer of chocolate. This local delicacy adds a different, food-focused touch to a trip that might otherwise centre on art, architectural history or landscapes.
Nature trails and sacred architecture
In Parco Burcina, a rhododendron valley, woodlands, meadows and a pond shape the landscape, with views of the mountains and the plain. Bessa offers a different focus: a dense network of easy trails runs through the area, and some can also be used for mountain biking or horseback riding. In Oasi Zegna, an innovative signposting system offers visitors a way to engage with nature.
Hiking trails lead through the Cervo, Elvo and Oropa valleys to the highest peaks of the Biellese, with views of the plain and surrounding mountains. The Oropa basin is a starting point for peaks around the sanctuary that reach an elevation of 2,000 metres. The region therefore offers a range of outdoor experiences: scenic views in the park, trails through Bessa and routes to high peaks.
The Santuario di Oropa brings together sacred and architectural features. The monumental complex includes the cloister with the Old Basilica, as well as the New Basilica. Oropa is one of nine separate Sacri Monti complexes in the mountains of northern Italy. Guided visits to the sanctuary, the Museo dei Tesori, the Sacro Monte, the Monumental Cemetery and the Botanical Garden can be arranged; check availability before your trip.
Practical information
Cittadellarte is about two kilometres from Biella San Paolo railway station. Frequent local and regional bus services connect the site with Biella and nearby towns. Check the timetables before travelling. The status of the Funicolare del Piazzo is also relevant for reaching the higher district of Piazzo: it was closed on 22 July 2026, and a feasibility study was to be prepared for its reopening. Check the latest information before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Viverone, Donato, Vivaro, Biella, Camandona, Graziano-Ruta, Campiglia Cervo, Lessona, Bioglio, Bellaria, Romagnano, Cavaglià, Villa Del Bosco, Graglia, Muzzano, Sordevolo, Torrazzo, Sandigliano, Magnano, Pollone, Netro, Torazza, Candelo, Solesio, Caprile, Roppolo, Portula, Cerrione, Sala Biellese, Salussola, Cossato, Andorno Cacciorna, Sostegno, Zimone, Bielmonte, Tollegno, Masserano, Vigliano Biellese, Mongrando, Crevacuore, Castellengo and Simone.
For the broader travel overview: Piedmont.
