Biella is a city with a long and rich history, famous for the Saint Mount Oropa, which is on the UNESCO list. It is one of the nine Piedmontese sanctuaries appreciated by UNESCO as a cultural treasure of world importance.
The history of the city dates back to the beginning of the 9th century. It was the seat of a bishop, and due to its location also the object of rivalry between the most important dynasties of northern Italy. One of the most important monuments of Biella is the gothic cathedral with a beautiful vault and unusual painting and sculptural decorations. At the cathedral, you can see a Romanesque baptistery from the turn of the 10th and 11th centuries, decorated with frescoes inside. Around the church there is a small old town with stone houses and narrow streets. The picturesque Oropa Botanical Garden is located outside it.
The biggest attractions of Biello are outside the city. It is primarily the Sanctuary of Oropa, also known as the Holy Mountain. The statue of the Black Madonna is venerated here, to which thousands of pilgrims make pilgrimages every year. Church buildings from the 17th century are located on a hill from which you can admire the views of the surrounding area. There are also a dozen or so chapels connected by prayer paths around it.
The area around Biello is under the protection of the Sacro Monte di Oropa nature reserve. In addition to the sanctuary itself and the pilgrimage paths, it includes beautiful, mountainous areas with numerous walking and trekking routes.
