Traditions, local products and hospitality

Piedicavallo is rich in traditions and culture: history and the land have forged its evolution, creating some surprisingly unique traits. From clothes to cuisine, architecture and community life: some traditions have been lost, while others are kept alive by the passion and love of the inhabitants of the Upper Cervo Valley.

Piedicavallo, like the entire Upper Valley, enjoys a distinctive historical feature still kept alive today: the Gipoun. This is the traditional dress of valley women. It consists of a camisole and, in some cases, a hemp underskirt, a long skirt much adorned on the back, and a black bodice short at the waist and decorated with pleats, lace, trimmings and giaít, black glass bead embellishments. A scarf, coloured and usually with flower motifs, is worn on the shoulders, while an apron, also coloured or black when the occasion so requires, is tied around the waist.

The traditional footwear of the Upper Valley, worn with the Gipoun, is the scapin. These were worn during all seasons and by all families: although they are not ideal in wet weather, they are perfect when it comes to walking on icy terrain. Made entirely in the home, the scapin consisted of scrap fabric overlaid in many layers. The uppers were usually made of velvet. The sole was finely quilted with hemp ropes and spiral stitching.

Since 2009, Piedicavallo has been twinned with Avrieux, a small mountain village located in the Moriana Valley in French Savoy where tradition and nature blend with modernity and tourism. Geographical conformation, traditions and even the local costumes unite the two places. Periodically, the two municipal administrations engage in promoting meetings and cultural exchanges.

Another episode is worthy of mention in traditional culture. The parish priest, Don Magi came to Montesinaro in 1944. He was also a music composer and arranger. This passion of his resulted in the foundation of the choir, the Schola Cantorum di Montesinaro, which later became the Corale Alpina Biellese, still well-known at home and abroad.

There is no shortage of typical local products which can be enjoyed in the area’s accommodation facilities and during the food and wine events offered to guests. To be savoured are the various typical dairy products, polenta moia, made with cheese cream, a variety of cured meats, capunèt, rolls with cabbage leaves, Ris an cagnun, rice with cheese and the ever-present bagna cauda, as well as various traditional desserts, accompanied by the fine wines of the Biellese area. The Piedicavallo Tourist Board offers entertainment and activities for all tastes and especially all palates! Piedicavallo also provides a range of accommodation facilities.

The Piedicavallo Tourist Board organises cultural and recreational activities, during the summer and winter, in an endeavour to promote the surrounding area and resources and support the local economy.

One of its best-loved events is undoubtedly the Mountain Film Festival, launched in 2008 in collaboration with the Biella branch of the CAI and the Trento Film Festival. It is staged every year between March and April in the splendid setting of the Regina Margherita Theatre, which also hosts a varied seasonal theatre programme: its stage has been trodden by internationally renowned musical artists, thanks to the famous Piedicavallo Festival, held yearly since 1991.

The Le Ravere Park is the centre of the Piedicavallo tourist scene and is located alongside the Cervo Torrent. Easily accessible from the main road and equipped with a large parking area, the park provides visitors with numerous benches on which to relax, as well as access to safe areas of the torrent where they can let themselves be lulled by the crystal-clear waters, and an equipped area for children. The Café-Kiosk, owned by the municipality and privately managed, is an excellent place to stop and recharge your batteries.

In the centre of Piedicavallo, a short walk from a large car park, is the well-equipped municipal picnic area. It is complete with tables, barbecues and toilet facilities. The area is also accessible to the disabled and wheelchairs. The municipality maintains and cleans the park, but visitors are warmly requested to respect the environment and the equipment, which is made freely available to the public.

Peace, tranquillity and nature. Adventure, hiking and sport. Festivities, companionship and friendship. Theatre, music and art. Piedicavallo and Montesinaro have all this to offer. Whatever your idea of a good holiday, our restaurants, hotels, associations and scenery will ensure you have a great experience in a unique environment! Enjoy your stay!