Holiday apartment in Zimone: Moraine landscape, churches and wine traditions

Zimone lies between the moraine ridges and hollows shaped by the Serra. This provides a distinctive setting when choosing a holiday apartment: Depending on whether you are looking for landscapes, culture, activity or regional specialities, the different local scenery and experiences offer their own highlights.

Zimone’s village character and historic sites

The houses of Zimone, grouped around the church, lie on the watershed. Green forests and vineyards surround the village, while views open up towards Lago di Viverone and Canavese. If you are looking for accommodation in a peaceful landscape, this setting is one of the village’s defining impressions.

One of the notable buildings is the parish church of San Giorgio, dedicated to Saint George and dating from the 17th century. The Cappella di San Grato, dating from the 16th century, stands on the hill above the village of Zimone. The monastic cell of San Michele di Bellino was built in the 12th century and cared for by Black Benedictines.

Zimone is also home to the Ecomuseo Valle Elvo e Serra at the Chiesa di San Rocco. Historically, Zimone stood at the end of a high-altitude road connecting the Biellese hinterland with the Via Francigena, the Strada delle Gallie. Thus, sacred buildings, regional history and an established route through the landscape come together in the village.

Holiday apartment in Zimone for walks and active days

The forest paths around Zimone offer opportunities for walks through the green landscape. You can also travel along these paths on horseback or by mountain bike. This makes it possible to accommodate different daily rhythms when planning your stay: A peaceful walk can be followed by an active outing, without having to limit the main theme of your trip to a single activity.

The St. Charles's Way also leads to Zimone along a mule track; near Roc della Strega, you take this mule track. This historic route may be especially relevant when choosing your holiday apartment if you would like to combine culture and activity.

The history of gold in the Parco Regionale della Bessa

The regional park Parco Regionale della Bessa lies in the vicinity of Zimone. Gold was mined there in the Elvo and Olobbia streams during Roman and pre-Roman times. The manual removal of spoil created a rolling plateau with rubble heaps up to 15–20 metres high. This unusual landscape makes the history of gold in the area tangible as a specific regional theme.

Wine and local traditions

The tradition of the Fagiolata in Zimone began in 1842. At Il Cantavino, you can use a cup purchased at the various entrances to taste different types of wine and drink larger quantities. Il Cantavino also includes a traditional competition involving barefoot grape treading. The associated event takes place on the second Sunday in September. Those choosing a holiday apartment in Zimone will find a place where landscape experiences and regional food culture complement different travel plans.

Further places for regional orientation

For further planning, you can also consider Camandona, Vivaro, Andorno Cacciorna, Salussola, Pollone, Bielmonte, Portula and Graglia.

For the overarching travel overview: Biella.