Burolo

Access

Located at the foot of the Ivrea Morainic Amphitheatre, the municipality of Burolo is easily accessible from the Piedmont plain and the foothills of the province of Turin. Although it maintains a cosy and predominantly rural dimension, it is well connected to the main regional communication axes, thanks to its proximity to Ivrea and the presence of a road network that allows easy travel from both north and south.
The main road access is via the Turin-Aosta motorway, from which one exits at the Ivrea tollgate. From here, a secondary but well-maintained road - consisting of provincial and municipal roads - leads to Burolo in a few minutes. In particular, the provincial road and the provincial road directly connect the municipality to the neighbouring centres, allowing a smooth flow of local traffic and a continuous connection with Ivrea, which serves as a hub for services and transport. The territory is also affected by a rural road network, serving the numerous farms and homes scattered throughout the morainic countryside.
For those arriving by train, the reference railway station is Ivrea, on the Turin-Aosta line. The station is well served by regional and fast trains that connect it to Turin Porta Susa and Porta Nuova in about an hour, as well as to numerous towns in Valle d'Aosta and Canavese. Once in Ivrea, it is possible to reach Burolo by bus or taxi.
The nearest airports are Turin-Caselle Airport (about 50 km, less than an hour's drive), connected to numerous Italian and European cities, and alternatively Milan Malpensa Airport, about 90 km away, reachable by motorway and link roads with journey times that vary depending on traffic. Caselle is the most convenient solution for those coming from domestic destinations and who want quick access to the Eporediese area.
Overall, although not crossed by direct railway or motorway lines, Burolo benefits from its proximity to Ivrea to offer a good balance of village tranquillity and accessibility.

Introduction

Located on the first hilly undulations that anticipate the morainic amphitheatre of Ivrea, the municipality of Burolo preserves an agricultural and artisan soul deeply rooted in its landscape and history. Located in Piedmont, in the heart of the Canavese region, this small centre appears as a bridge between the plains and the mountains, with a view that stretches towards the peaks of the Valchiusella and the western Alps.

Description

The Burolo territory is modelled by the ancient glaciations that shaped the morainic amphitheatre of the Eporediese, one of the largest in Europe. A landscape designed by soft hills, rich in chestnut, oak and birch woods, in which cultivated glades and vineyards open up. The geological formations of glacial origin have bequeathed a complex network of paths and trails that lend themselves to exploration on foot or by bicycle, offering suggestive views and moments of tranquillity. The village's position, at an altitude of about 300 metres, guarantees a privileged view of the Serra d'Ivrea, the long morainic ridge that marks the eastern boundary of the Canavese area.
The history of Burolo is intertwined with that of nearby Ivrea, the nerve centre of the region since antiquity. The first documentary evidence dates back to the Middle Ages, but the territory was already inhabited in pre-Roman times, as testified by archaeological finds. Over the centuries, the village has experienced the typical dynamics of small rural hamlets, between lordly dependencies and seasonal agricultural cycles. However, the community of Burolo has been able to maintain its own identity, reinforced by the important presence of stone: the local quarries, active until the mid-20th century, constituted a pillar of the local economy and modelled the landscape and collective memory.
Today, the economy of Burolo retains an agricultural imprint, with small family-run businesses dedicated to the cultivation of cereals, vegetables and fruit. There is no shortage of small livestock farms and craft activities related to wood and iron working. In recent years, a certain sensitivity to the recovery of local food traditions has developed, with initiatives aimed at promoting local products. The proximity to Ivrea and the motorway network has also favoured residential growth, without upsetting the balance of the landscape.
The cultural dimension is expressed through patronal festivals, religious celebrations and a number of events involving the entire community. The parish church of San Lorenzo, with its 18th-century structure, is the spiritual and symbolic centre of the town. Among the most heartfelt traditions are festivities linked to the agricultural cycle, in particular the blessing of animals and fields, recalling ancient propitiatory rites. There is no shortage of moments of aggregation linked to the memory of work in the quarry, with testimonies and photographs that tell of a harsh but identifiable past.
Burolo is also an interesting starting point for hiking enthusiasts. The network of paths winding through the hilly woods allows walks of varying difficulty, often with panoramic views of the Po Valley and the mountainous profile of the Graian Alps. From here you can easily reach the Serra, with its Via Francigena trail and the stages of the Cammino di Oropa. Some local trails lead to the ancient quarries or to nature observation points, where you can encounter roe deer, foxes and a fair variety of birds. A short distance away, the town of Ivrea offers the echo of Olivettian architecture, while the glacial lakes in the surrounding area invite slow tourism, made up of silent discoveries and landscapes to listen to.
Burolo is not a place to cross in a hurry: it is a small territory that offers itself to those who wish to tune in to nature and the discreet rhythms of its history.

Information

Area: 5.95 km²
Altitude: 328 m
Maximum elevation: about 480 m above sea level (near the locality "Monti di Burolo", slope of the Morainic Amphitheatre)
Number of inhabitants: about 1,105 (as of 31.12.24)
Name in dialect: Burlò (Piedmontese)
Inhabitants' name: Burolesi
Patron Saint: San Lorenzo (celebrated on 10 August)
Neighbouring towns: Ivrea, Chiaverano, Bollengo, Cascinette d'Ivrea, Torrazzo
Website: www.comune.burolo.to.it

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