Andrate

Access

The municipality can be easily reached from Ivrea by following the provincial road up to the Serra and the tunnel to Biella, with a short journey time from the valley floor to the central square. Connections with Turin and the main cities are generally by rail to Ivrea, with subsequent transfer by bus or private transport. The road connection to Donato and the Biellese side is particularly facilitated by the tunnel under the Serra, which significantly reduces travel time.

Introduction

Andrate is a small mountain municipality in Canavese, Piedmont, located on the upper terrace of the Serra Morenica of Ivrea and directly overlooking the morainic amphitheatre and the plain below. The inhabited centre is developed at around 820 metres above sea level, in a dominant position with respect to the Dora Baltea and the basins of the morainic lakes, still preserving the cosy appearance of a pre-alpine village. The building fabric retains its original historical imprint, with leaning houses, narrow streets and compact nuclei, while a network of hamlets, villages and ancient alpine pastures testifies to the role the area played for centuries in the management of pastures and in the connections between Canavese and Biellese.

Description

The municipal territory gradually rises towards the slopes of Mombarone, alternating forests, clearings, agricultural terraces and areas of high altitude pastureland. The glacial forms of the Serra are a distinctive feature of the local landscape, characterised by cool and windy slopes that favour a harsher climate than on the plain. The highest elevation is reached by Monte Torretta, at an altitude of 2120 metres, a vantage point that forms one of the junctions between the Serra ridge and the pre-Alpine peaks connecting the Canavese to the Biellese side.
The documented history of Andrate begins in the 13th century, when the territory appears among the possessions of the bishop's refectory of Ivrea, with a land system regulated by agrarian contracts that influenced the local economy for a long time. During the 14th century, the village entered the Savoy orbit and for centuries maintained a settlement structure centred on the 'Villa', the fortified nucleus located in a dominant position, which still preserves traces of the ancient walled structure. The local memory includes episodes linked to the medieval clashes along the Serra, such as the destruction of the Bastia fortifications near what is now Croce Serra, which testify to the strategic importance of this stretch of ridge.
The traditional economy of the municipality was based on mountain agriculture, livestock breeding and the seasonal use of mountain pastures, activities supplemented over time by small-scale craftsmanship and emigration, which significantly affected the demography between the 20th and 21st centuries. In recent years, a greater vocation for proximity tourism has developed, favoured by the scenic location and the network of trails connecting Andrate to the main excursion destinations of Serra and Mombarone. Second homes and commuting to Ivrea and neighbouring towns complete the current socio-economic picture.
In terms of culture and religion, the main reference point is the parish church of San Pietro in Vincoli, to which the patron saint's day celebrated on 4 November is linked. In the municipal territory there are also chapels and small sacred buildings that document the devotional stratification typical of the Canavese area. The local calendar includes festivities linked to parish life, summer events and initiatives aimed at rediscovering Alpine traditions. The cuisine reflects the combination of mountain products and lowland resources: mountain pasture cheeses, potatoes, chestnuts, cured meats and simple dishes of the Canavese tradition.
Andrate today represents a suitable starting point for numerous hiking itineraries. The routes follow the Serra ridge in the direction of Biella or climb up to the alpine pastures and secondary peaks between Monte Torretta and Mombarone, offering sweeping views over the Piedmont plain. In the surrounding area there are well-marked trails leading to Croce Serra, Castello Rubino and the Canavese moraine lakes, integrating with the trail network that crosses the entire Ivrea morainic amphitheatre.

Information

Area:9.31 km²
Altitude:820m
Maximum elevation: 2,227m -Monte Cavalgrosso
 Number of inhabitants: 469 as of 31.07.2025
 Name in dialect: Andrà (Piedmontese)
Inhabitants name:Andrate
Patron Saint:San Pietro in Vincoli, celebrated on November 4
Bordering municipalities: Borgofranco d'Ivrea, Chiaverano, Donato, Nomaglio, Settimo Vittone
Website: www.comune.andrate.to.it