Small Tourist Attractions — Big Treasures
Little don't mean not interesting. Today we visit a very captivating place
As you know, I have always been a member of some cultural associations. The last of them organized this year, my friends, after they finished their insurance business and became pensioners. They live now in an urban-type settlement, Candelo, not far from Biella.
This settlement is very famous, at least in all of Northern Italy, for perfectly conserved fortified “ricetto”
During the Middle Ages, the men of the countryside kept the crops safe and in case of alarm they brought their family, animals and everyday tools there.
The alarm was given by men on guard at the various towers that controlled the transit of people and armed people along the main communication routes. When the alarm was given (with the sound of a horn or bell, at night, with fire) people fled from the poor homes located on the plain, in the countryside, and took refuge in the ricetto.
Every family had their own “cellar,” and there are some “streets” named “rues.”
Every December, a month of celebration is organized in Candelo. There is the Santa Claus post office and Santa Claus himself, with whom you can take pictures. It is endless magic for children, local producers who sell their products, and the inhabitants who are not the producers but the owners of the rented cells it is a feast, too.
I wanted to show you a little bit about what this party is like. You probably remember my “reportage” from Aosta a year ago. The holidays are more or less the same in all Italy, only the anturage changes.
Returning to the ricetto, we can say that there are many in the area and even well-preserved, but this one in Candelo is perhaps the only one that has remained practically intact and is still used by locals.
I like mulled wine (Vin brulé) during these Christmas holidays. They also sell it in Candelo (3.50 euros), the pots in one of my photos.
Vin brulé is red wine boiled with spices, lemon peel, and sugar and served hot (sometimes used against coughs and sore throats — excellent remedies, by the way).
I wanted to present you my work:
Printable “Discovering Italy 2025 Calendar and Planner” and
“Walking in Italy with a Smile”
Order yours today! HERE:
I’ll be really very glad if you write me your opinion.
