Masserano
Welcome to Masserano!
Hello everyone! Welcome to Masserano, a beautiful municipality located in the province of Biella, in Piedmont. There are many places to see and explore here, so take your time to get to know this wonderful city and all that it has to offer.
Discover the Physical Geography of Masserano
The territory of Masserano is located in the southeastern region of Biellese and extends in a northwest/southeast direction. The Ostola stream is the largest watercourse in the area, creating Lake delle Piane. The border of Masserano is also marked by the Bisingana stream, which separates the municipality of Brusnengo. The northern area of the municipality is hilly, while the southern rice plain is occupied by a heath dotted with oaks. The area of the Oriented Natural Reserve of the Baragge is part of this territory.
History of Masserano
Masserano, originally called "Messerano," first appears in a historical document from 1141. Initially belonging to the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Vercelli, in 1169 it had the opportunity to be granted by the papal legate Gregorio di Montelongo to the Municipality of Vercelli, and then returned to the diocese of Vercelli. In 1394, it was enfeoffed to Lodovico Fieschi, Bishop of Vercelli at the time, and, together with Crevacuore, became part of it. The Fieschi family held the pontifical fief for almost four centuries, and then passed to the Ferrero-Fieschi family in 1517 thanks to the adoption of Filiberto Ferrero-Fieschi, uniting the possessions of the two families. Pope Julius II elevated the fief to a county in 1506, while Pope Paul III elevated it to a marquisate in 1547 and Pope Clement VIII to the Principality of Masserano in 1598. Between 1566 and 1588, the Ferrero-Fieschi family was also the Marquises of Romagnano Sesia, a fief inherited from the Borromeo.
In 1624, the population of Masserano rebelled against Prince Francesco Filiberto for the abuses suffered and destroyed the prince's castle. The prince had to flee, while his eldest son, Carlo Filiberto, was killed. The pontifical fief of Masserano made the city a de facto independent land, directly dependent on the Holy See. In 1741, Charles Emmanuel III of Savoy managed to be appointed the pontifical vicar for the principality by Pope Benedict XIV. In 1753, the King of Sardinia acquired the transfer of the fief, and in 1767 the last prince, Vittorio Filippo, renounced his rights, moving to Spain. In 1833, the title of Prince of Masserano passed to the Ferrero della Marmora.
Things to See in Masserano
Masserano has many tourist attractions to visit, such as the Castle of Masserano, Palazzo Ferrero-Fieschi, and the Oratory of San Giuseppe. The castle, despite being destroyed in the 17th century, is still very important for the history of the city. Palazzo Ferrero-Fieschi, along with the Church of San Grato, has been renovated and restored to its former beauty after years of neglect and now hosts exhibitions and events. The Oratory of San Giuseppe, with its simple structure and sober lines, is one of the most notable examples of Baroque architecture in the city. The Oriented Natural Reserve of the Baragge is a perfect place for those who love nature and want to walk in one of the most beautiful parks in the region.
Food and Traditions
In Masserano, there are several restaurants where you can taste traditional Piedmontese dishes, such as agnolotti, braised beef with Barolo wine, raw beef chopped with a knife, and local cheeses like gorgonzola. The local culture is celebrated during the Palio dell'Oca, which takes place every year in August. This event involves all the citizens with parades in costume, exhibitions, and performances, culminating in a rowboat race on Lake delle Piane, which is always very exciting to watch.
How to Get to Masserano
Masserano is easily reachable from Torino-Caselle Airport, which is about 70 kilometers from the city. Moreover, the Biella train station is just 10 kilometers from Masserano and offers connections to the surrounding cities. If you prefer traveling by car, Masserano is located near the A4 Turin-Milan highway.
Thank you for reading this brief summary of Masserano. We hope you enjoyed learning a bit more about this delightful Piedmontese town. Come visit us soon!
