Canischio

Access

The municipality is accessible from the local road network that connects Canischio to other Canavese towns. The nearest railway station and airport are in Turin; from here it is possible to continue by car along the provincial roads up the Gallenca valley. The administrative centre is located in Via Mezzavilla.

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Introduction

Canischio is a small municipality in the metropolitan city of Turin, located in the western Canavese area and dominating the Gallenca valley, an environmental context marked by the waters of the same name and framed by the peaks of Monte Soglio and Cima Mares. The town retains a green and tranquil dimension, a characteristic reflected in the wooded landscape and clear air, elements that make it an ideal destination for nature walks and excursions on foot and by mountain bike.

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Description

The origins of the hamlet are very remote: the formation of the soil dates back some 65 million years, at the same time as the building of the Alps, and is composed of metamorphic rocks that historically provided material for flooring and roofing in lose. The Gallenca valley bears witness to the presence of the so-called 'Canavese fault', a fracture point in the earth's crust where two tectonic plates collide. According to local traditions, a legend hovers over Canischio: that of Adelaide of Susa, daughter of King Arduin and wife of Odo of Savoy, who wished to donate a precious silver bell to the village church. The bell, made ringing by gold foils cast from one of her dresses, was hidden by the inhabitants following the French invasions and later remelted to help the poor.
In the heart of the village stands the parish church of San Lorenzo Martire, probably founded in the 11th century; the current building dates back to the 17th century, when the medieval structure was replaced in Baroque forms, leaving the ancient Romanesque bell tower unaltered. The building has undergone various restorations and modernisations during the 20th century and in recent decades. Mezzavilla is the main nucleus, the municipal seat gathered around the bell tower, while hamlets and villages such as Riapetto, Ferrero, Forest, Fogliasso, Sombeila and Braida dot the territory. The historical economy is rooted in agriculture and livestock breeding, still protagonists of daily life, even though in recent decades most of the young people have moved to the industrial areas of Piedmont.
The rural tranquillity of Canischio is enlivened during the summer by the celebrations of the patron saint San Lorenzo, which include processions, sporting and convivial events, enriched by gastronomic appointments organised by the Pro Loco and the municipality. At the end of August, the San Bernardo Festival on Cima Mares attracts hikers and residents for a traditional gathering. Walks in the woods and itineraries to the surrounding peaks offer opportunities for naturalistic and panoramic discovery, ideal for those seeking the peace of the mountains and the authenticity of the Canavese landscape.

Information

Area: 11.95 sq km
Altitude: 659m
Maximum elevation: Cima Mares (1653m)
Number of inhabitants: 301
Name in dialect: Canis-cio
Inhabitant name: Canischiese
 Patron Saint: Saint Lawrence (10 August)
Website: www.comune.canischio.to.it
Webcam:
Neighbouring municipalities: Alpette, Cuorgnè, Prascorsano, Pratiglione, San Colombano Belmonte, Sparone