Candelo

Access

Candelo can be easily reached from Biella via the provincial road network, with parking facilities near the historic centre and the Ricetto; greater accessibility by road allows it to be visited from the Turin metropolitan area and the Po Valley, while the railway connection is via the Biella station, just a few kilometres away. The nearest airports are Turin Caselle and Milan Malpensa.

.

Introduction

Candelo is a municipality in the province of Biella, in Piedmont, located on a plateau about 340 metres above sea level, in the transition zone between the plain and the foothills of Biella. The centre, easily identifiable due to the extensive development of its hilly and wooded territory, represents one of the most significant realities of the Biellese area from a historical, landscape and cultural point of view. Candelo is in fact distinguished mainly by the presence of the imposing Ricetto, an evocative medieval fortified village that has consolidated its notoriety on a national level; the municipality is also included among the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy and in the Orange Flags of the Italian Touring Club, certificates that testify to the value and quality of its historical and artistic heritage and landscape.

Description

The Candelese territory lies close to the Baraggia biellese, a plateau of alluvial and windy nature, at times similar to the savannah due to the particular alternation of grasslands and sparse woods, and preserves ecosystems unique to the Piedmont plain. The presence of the Cervo Torrent, which flows through the northern part of the municipality, further characterises the landscape, which is dominated by a remarkable variety of views, from the valley floor to the hilly zone. The Baragge Oriented Nature Reserve includes a large portion of the municipal lands and is a popular destination for nature hikers.
Inhabited by about 7,200 people, Candelo traces its historical roots back at least to medieval times. The first documentary evidence dates back to the 10th century (988 AD), when it was a fief of Manfredo di Cavaglià, a descendant of the Counts of Vercelli. The construction of the Ricetto - the true emblem of the village - can be placed between the end of the 13th century and the first decades of the 14th century; here the community kept provisions, tools and agricultural products, but also found refuge in times of danger. In 1374 Candelo was the first Biellese community to spontaneously dedicate itself to the Savoy, marking a fundamental turning point in its institutional history. Over the centuries, the village went through difficult times: it was repeatedly involved in wars, such as those between the French and the Spanish in the 16th century, and struck by devastating plague epidemics in the 17th century.
The economy of Candelo, traditionally agricultural and linked to viticulture, has undergone a gradual transformation over time, integrating manufacturing and tertiary activities. The farming culture remains firmly rooted in the local memory, and is recounted in the Ecomuseo della Vitivinicoltura (Eco-museum of Wine-growing), housed in the evocative spaces of the Ricetto, which recalls the village's vocation as a 'community cellar' and a meeting point between agricultural and craft knowledge. Today, wine production represents an identity peculiarity, while a small tradition of wooden and textile craftsmanship also continues.
The Candelese calendar is marked by religious and civil festivals that actively involve the population, such as the celebrations dedicated to patron saints, traditional festivals and the lively re-enactment of Carnival, an event of ancient origin that sees the participation of masks and historical groups. Typical dishes include risottos and other preparations based on the products of the plains and baraggia.
The tourist potential of Candelo revolves around a visit to the Ricetto, with its walls, numerous cells, artisan workshops and museum spaces, but also extends to the historic roads and paths that cross the Baraggia, ideal for walks, hikes and cycle-tourism itineraries; the area is appreciated by lovers of nature photography, thanks to the changing landscape that, especially in the flowering months, offers particularly evocative views. There is no shortage of opportunities to explore the surrounding area, from the Burcina park to the routes towards Cossato, Vigliano or Benna.

Information

Area: 15.17 km²
Altitude: 340 m
Maximum elevation: about 350 m (Baraggia area)
Number of inhabitants: 7,228 as at 31.12.2024
Name in dialect: Candèj
Inhabitants' name: Candelesi
Patron saint: San Pietro, celebrated on 29th June
Bordering municipalities: Biella, Benna, Cossato, Gaglianico, Valdengo, Verrone, Vigliano Biellese
Internet site: www.comune.candelo.bi.it

Points of interest

Collections