Overview
Rice paddies, castles and a mysterious valley
Vercelli, in Piedmont, is a jewel to discover. Surrounded by rice paddies, which are fantastic to cycle through while they are flooded between April and May, the city has countless sites of interest, including the Gothic-style Basilica of Sant'Andrea, the Cathedral of Sant’Eusebio, the Visconti Castle, the Leone Museum and the Francesco Borgogna Art Gallery.
The province is full of surprises. In Buronzo stands the Castellone castle, while stunning fortresses can also be found in Balocco and Rovasenda. On the banks of the Sesia river is the Lame del Sesia wildlife park, where you can enjoy wonderful walks. Don’t miss Monferrato, with its rolling, vineyard-covered hills.
The beating heart of the province of Vercelli is Valsesia. It is home to the Sacro Monte of Varallo, a monumental religious complex that, together with other Italian Sacri Monti, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Alagna Valsesia, you can discover Walser culture, a people of German origin who settled in this valley in the Middle Ages.
Valsesia is a must for anyone who loves winter and river sports, from fishing to rafting. It is also home to Europe’s highest mountain hut, Capanna Margherita, at 4,554 metres atop Monte Rosa.
