Holiday apartment in Mazzè: castle, nature and paths along the Dora Baltea
Accommodation in Mazzè
Mazzè offers you a variety of holiday experiences combining history, riverside landscapes, cycling, walks and nature observation. If you choose a holiday apartment in Mazzè, you can shape your stay according to your preferred focus: with historical discoveries in the town, active routes along the Dora Baltea or peaceful impressions in protected landscapes.
File:Cappella di S. Michele Arcangelo detta del Diavolo, Mazzè, Piemonte, Italia.jpg
Photo: Ambra75 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Castle, church and historic centre
The Castello di Mazzè is a fortified complex consisting of the “castello piccolo”, dating from the 14th century, and the “castello grande”, which was remodelled in the Neo-Gothic style in the 19th century. It stands on the summit of the Mazzè moraine hill and overlooks the Dora Baltea gorge as well as the Ivrea plains to the north and Chivasso to the south.
The Museo della Tortura is housed in the old underground rooms of the medieval Castello di Mazzè. Its collection comes mainly from Spain and from various European collections. The Chiesa dei Santi Gervasio e Protasio was built before 1286 and houses a Gothic-style wooden Stations of the Cross carved by artists from Val Gardena, as well as Murano glass chandeliers.
The Centro Storico di Mazzè includes the remains of the old Ricetto, 19th-century aristocratic palaces, the parish church and the castle. Guided visits take place on Sundays from May to September between 3 and 6 p.m.; at other times, visits are possible by prior arrangement.
Moraine hills and riverside landscapes
The Chiesa dei Santi Gervasio e Protasio is also located on the summit of the moraine hill. From there, the view extends across the Vercelli plain to the dome of San Gaudenzio in Novara, which can be seen in clear weather. In this way, sacred art and expansive landscapes come together in the historic centre.
The Riserva Naturale del Mulino Vecchio also includes part of the municipality of Mazzè. It protects a section of the Dora Baltea and the surrounding area. Broad gravel banks and beaches, riparian vegetation, as well as poplar and black locust stands surrounded by fields and meadows shape this natural area.
Cycling routes, walks and water
The 48-kilometre-long Percorso N cycle route passes through Mazzè and by the Forra della Dora Baltea, which is one of the local attractions. The route also recommends a detour through the historic centre to the castle located on the hilltop. This allows cycling kilometres and cultural stops to be combined in a single outing without conflating the town’s different points of interest.
For walks, the “L'Oro dei ghiacciai” and “La Regina Ypa” routes connect and partially overlap, forming a long, informative walk with explanatory panels along rural tracks. Access from Mazzè is via the provincial road towards the bridge over the Dora di Villareggia, followed by a right turn onto an unpaved road leading to the car park.
Those who want to experience the Dora Baltea on the water will find a section between Mazzè and Crescentino within the protected areas of the Po piemontese that is generally navigable all year round. Exceptions are possible in winter during longer periods of drought.
Choose the right holiday apartment in Mazzè
When choosing your holiday apartment in Mazzè, your preferred daily rhythm can determine the focus: historical visits around the Castello, Centro Storico and church, cycling stages on the Percorso N, walks with explanatory panels or nature experiences along the Dora Baltea. The landscape and local history make Mazzè particularly interesting for travellers who want to vary their days between exploring the town’s history and active discovery.
More places to choose from: Valgioie, Monti, Cavour, Brosso, Villar Pellice, Settimo Vittone, Beaulard and San Sicario Alto.
To the overarching travel overview: Turin.
