Holiday apartment in Vivaro: Nature, Culture and Bramaterra

Vivaro reveals its character along the watercourse and in the wooded valley. Near the hamlet, two streams merge to form the Bisingana. After this confluence, the river flows south through a wooded valley into which numerous small streams drain. There, the Bisingana is accompanied by the SP 234 Pray-Curino-Brusnengo. The landscape is therefore defined by the interplay of the river, tributaries, woodland and the accompanying road.

Bisingana, wooded valley and the accompanying SP 234

Along one section of the Sentieri del Biellese, there is a view of the Romanesque bell tower of Santa Maria. Another section of these trails includes Vivaro in its panorama. The two trail references place different emphasis on the landscape: in one case, a single building is in view; in the other, Vivaro is included in the panorama.

Hiking, fishing and mountain biking

GTB stage 39 passes through Brusnengo and Curino. It is 5.84 km long, includes 140 m of ascent and has a stated duration of 2 hours 15 minutes. The combination of distance, ascent and time provides the hike with a clear framework for planning the day. Trout are released and caught in the Bisingana. The Soprana Mountain Bike Park runs along paths and forest tracks around Cima la Guardia.

Romanesque art, oratory and settlement history

Within the municipality of Curino, the apse and bell tower of the Church of the Assumption are examples of Romanesque art; they are located in the hamlet of Santa Maria. In 1661, there was a small oratory: initially, it was dedicated only to San Bernardo, and later to San Bernardo and San Bernardino da Siena. The small oratory was located in the hamlet of Cantone Vivaro.

For those interested in culture, the oratory and settlement history in Vivaro and Curino provide two specific historical points of reference.

Vivaro and the cantons of Santa Maria, Termino, Ronco, Ortovivaro, Colmo and Olzera appear to have developed as a continuous settlement at the foot of San Giorgio hill. This historic settlement was probably the castrum loci Quirini, below which the Curtem Quirini developed.

Bramaterra DOC, grape varieties and Rive Rosse

Bramaterra DOC is produced in the municipality of Curino. It combines Nebbiolo (50–70%) with Croatina (20–30%), as well as Bonarda and Vespolina (10–20%). For those interested in wine and geology, Bramaterra DOC and Rive Rosse in Curino provide two specific points of reference.

The hills of Rive Rosse in Curino are characterised by weathering quartz-bearing porphyry. The name Rive Rosse derives from this geological substrate.

In Curino, winegrowing at Bramaterra DOC and geology at Rive Rosse come together as two specific regional themes.

More places for planning your trip

If you would like to add further destinations to your travel plans, also discover Zimone, Villa Del Bosco, Bioglio, Castellengo, Simone, Lessona, Salussola and Portula.

To the higher-level travel overview: Biella.