Ronco Biellese
Welcome to Ronco Biellese
Welcome to Ronco Biellese, a small town located in the heart of the province of Biella in Piedmont. With its 1431 inhabitants, Ronco is a town with ancient history and a territory with unique natural beauty. In this text, we will explore the physical geography of the area, the history of the town, its monuments and places of interest.
Physical geography: the territory of Ronco Biellese
Ronco Biellese is located in the center of the province of Biella, more precisely on the plateau that starts east of the capital and ends near Cossato. The town is halfway up the hill dominated by the "Brich" on which the Castle of Zumaglia stands, a regional nature reserve created in 1995.
The climate of Ronco Biellese is typically continental and transitional from the mountains to the plains. In winter it is cold with frequent snowfall, while in summer it is warm, but not excessive, with temperatures that do not usually exceed 30°. The rainiest periods are spring and autumn.
History of Ronco Biellese
In medieval times, Ronco Biellese belonged to the bishops of Vercelli. In 1379, the town passed into the hands of the House of Savoy and was then enfeoffed to Gottofredo di Buronzo and others with the title of Lord between the XV and XVI centuries.
In 1620, Carlo Emanuele I donated Ronco and Zumaglia to Pietro d'Albier, whom he conferred the title of Count. The fief then passed into the hands of Caterina Chiambò, Anna Margherita Buneo, and Senator Guglielmo Leone in 1671. The latter, having obtained the titles of Count of Ronco and Zumaglia, sold Ronco in 1736 to Carlo Francesco Avogadro, lord of Cerreto.
At the end of the 18th century, Ronco became an autonomous municipality during the years of the Revolution.
During World War II, Ronco Biellese suffered the consequences of the partisan struggle. In particular, a clash between partisans and Nazi-fascists caused a violent reprisal that led to the destruction of numerous houses and the barbaric death of a resident of the town, mistaken for a partisan.
Symbols of Ronco Biellese
Monuments and places of interest
Ronco Biellese is a town full of monuments and places of interest to visit. In particular, the parish church dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel was built in the 17th century and represents an excellent example of sacred architecture in the area. The interior of the church is decorated with works of art such as Bartolomeo Termine's pulpit, the main altar in polychrome marbles, and the Way of the Cross, the work of the sculptor Serpentiero from 1750.
The Parish House, on the other hand, is a late 18th-century building that has been renovated in the 19th century. The construction lot is adjacent to the Parish Church of St. Michael the Archangel. The parish house is therefore of earlier construction than the church and with severe geometries in the north front and side facades, while the south front opens to the front garden with a double loggia of a marked local imprint.
In addition, Ronco Biellese is surrounded by nature and offers hikers numerous trails to admire the beauty of the landscape.
Conclusions
Ronco Biellese is a town worth visiting both for its ancient history and its scenic and architectural beauty. With its parish church and Parish House, it represents an excellent example of sacred architecture in the area. Thanks also to its geographical location, Ronco offers numerous opportunities for hikers and nature lovers.
