The stage crosses the Serra Morenica d'lvrea, anarea of moraines that makes
farm roads among cornfields and tree plantations, zigzagging before the green ridge
for a gently undulating walk marking the transition from Alpine foothills to Po Valley flatlands.
Pass two 11th c. churches as you alternate betweeen woods and vineyards
Follow the S$76 briefly before forking left to climb along the lower slope of the
tidge. After a cemetery and pilgrim rest area (0.8km) come to the historic center of pictur-
esque Bollengo (1.1km, café, groceries). Continue on the quiet SP263 asphalt road along
the foot of the forested ridge. Turn left off the road to come to the 11th-12th c. Chiesa
di San Pietro (1.0km, picnic tables), a fine example of Romanesque architecture whose
Parish has long since disappeared. The road then sits on a terrace along the ridge, with a
tall stone wall on the left and a similar stone wall below to the right. A switchback leads
down to the valley floor and soon you see signs for Palazzo Canavese
12.3KM PALAZZO CANAVESE (ELEV 244M, POP 843) Hl © © (886.0KM)
In the 12th and 13th c. this town of Roman origins found itself caught in con-
km
tinual battles between Ivrea and Vercelli. The distinctive tall brick clock tower
with a pointed roof and four archways at its base presides over a large piazza
with benches. The architecture is typical of Canavese villages ~ stucco-covered
brick two-storey houses with balconies often covered by wide wooden eaves
below roofs of red clay tiles. (Bus 351 to Viverone www.atapspa.it.)
2.9KM PIVERONE (ELEV 305M, POP 1381) fll ES © (883.2KM)
Piverone’s name, rather than being a variant of nearby Viverone, is said
from the ‘peppery’ character of its residents (peperone tr: ‘pey Sr) inth ihe
the ruling magistrate of Vercelli fortified the town with a bastion of th sown,
one of which remains at the entrance to the old town as its squat clock tower.
Archeologists discovered Bronze Age artifacts from a prehistoric lakeside settlement
under nearby Lago di Viverone, earning it status as a Unesco Heritage Site.
Bus: www.savda.it
Train: www.trenitalia.com
www.fortedibard.it
Guide book Stage13 Ivrea to Viverone
