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Access

Accessibility to the municipality is ensured by its proximity to the SS 230 Biella-Vercelli road and the local road network connecting Benna with Cossato, Candelo and Biella. The nearest railway station is in Cossato, served by the Biella-Novara line. The nearest airports are Turin Caselle and Milan Malpensa, which can be reached in less than two hours.

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Introduction

Benna is a municipality located in the province of Biella, in Piedmont. The municipal territory is located in the vast western plain of Biella, in an area that acts as a hinge between the pre-Alpine hills and the agricultural expanses of the lower Piedmontese plain. Benna's position, historically at the centre of communication routes between Biella and the Vercelli area, has conditioned the development of the town itself. Already mentioned in medieval documents, the area offers traces of ancient settlements, linked to the reclamation of marshes and the agrarian organisation of the bishops of Vercelli, the historical lords of these lands. The current urban layout preserves remnants of rural nuclei and small farmhouses, typical of the Piedmont countryside.
Benna's landscape is dominated by the alluvial plain, rich in cultivated fields, rows of poplars and irrigated canals that trace the texture of the territory. The average altitude is around 150 metres, with a temperate climate that favours the growth of cereal and forage crops. Of natural interest is the presence of residual wetlands that host a biodiversity linked to the hydrographic network of the Deer and its tributaries. The municipality covers approximately 9.2 km², in a predominantly agricultural context but close to the industrial area of Biella.

Description

Benna's history is marked by the Longobard presence and, later, by the episcopal domination of Vercelli, which held vast possessions in the eastern Biella plain. Over the centuries, the town followed the vicissitudes of the region, passing under the influence of the Savoy family and sharing the agricultural and artisan fortunes of the province. Prominent local figures include clergymen and patriots involved in the Risorgimento, testifying to a deep-rooted civic tradition.
Benna's economy has traditionally been based on agriculture, with crops of maize, rice, wheat and fodder, used in livestock and dairy farms. In recent decades, there has been an increase in the presence of small handicraft businesses and neighbourhood services, often linked to the Biella textile industry. Cheese production, especially fresh and mature cheeses, is a local excellence that is also appreciated in regional markets. Historical craftsmanship includes woodworking and ironworking, evidenced by workshops and laboratories that preserve traditional knowledge.
In terms of culture, Benna preserves rituals linked to rural traditions such as the patronal festival dedicated to Saint Peter, and seasonal festivals that celebrate local agricultural products and typical Piedmontese cuisine: risottos, homemade cold cuts, cheeses and rustic desserts. The Piedmontese dialect, still spoken among the elderly, reveals deep ties with the material culture of the area. Traditional dishes include 'panissa' and rice cakes, often prepared during festivities.
Hiking finds its place in the countryside surrounding the village, where footpaths and low-traffic roads connect Benna with other villages on the plain and with the first hillsides towards Biella. Paths suitable for cycling and walking allow you to explore the agricultural landscape and the small residual woods, offering quiet corners and glimpses of the Biellese Alps. There is no shortage of curiosities linked to popular legends, such as the "miraculous fountain" near the parish church, the destination of processions and oral tales handed down.

Information

Area: 9.39 sq km
Altitude: 277m
Maximum elevation:
 Number of inhabitants: 1183
Name in dialect: Bënna
Inhabitants name:Bennese
Patron Saint:St. Peter (29 June)
Website: www.comune.benna.bi.it
Webcam:
Bordering municipalities: Candelo, Cossato, Massazza, Mottalciata, Verrone
 Villages and hamlets:
Landscapes: