Parco Baragge - Bessa - Brich Zumaglia - Mont Préve

Within Bessa Special Nature Reserve, a gold mine in the open air dating back to the Roman period, there is the imposing fortified structure which suggested, at the time of its discovery in the year 1963, the name of "Castelliere".
In the following decades, the first excavation campaigns and surveys were carried out. They were followed in 2005 by the restoration of the structure carried out by Ente di gestione Aree Protette Baragge-Bessa-Brich in collaboration with the Archeology Department of Piedmont; one of the most complex and mysterious archaeological monuments of Piedmont is brought back to life: as a matter of fact, it has been possible to trace the original planimetry of the heap of pebbles deriving from the gold washing activities on which the Castelliere was built, and to reconstruct the structures using the information provided by the archaeological excavations.

• Folder "Il Castelliere di Mongrando" (PDF, Italian text - 315 Kb)

Aula Verde has been created by Baragge, Bessa e Brich Park Authority in collaboration with the Municipality of Candelo, to give the possibility to discover some of the main vegetable species characterizing Baragge. The itinerary is divided into four sections: the first one houses the characteristic species of the alluvial plain, the second one the characteristic species of the terraced slopes, the third one the characteristic species of the river terraces, the forth the species of the impluvia.
Next to each vegetable species there is a panel illustrating its main features.
Possibility of packed lunch in a specific picnic area.
How to reach Aula Verde: leave the village of Candelo in the direction of Mottalciata. After the downhill path and at the beginning of the long straight stretch turn left in via Isangarda (panel at the crossroads of the Municipality of Candelo); go ahead on an asphalt road at the beginning, and then on a non-asphalt road for about 2 km up to Aula Verde.
The structure is accessible to everyone and the visit is particularly interesting for school groups.
The roadbed is flat, made of earth and meadow, and it is also accessible with wheelchairs, if the weather conditions are not too bad.

If you observe it from the plain, the characteristic double summit of Brich di Zumaglia and Mont Prève dominates the mountains of the Biellese area. Brich di Zumaglia and Mont Prève recreational area was established in 1995 and covers about 44 hectares in the Municipalities of Ronco and Zumaglia. The highest altitude is 669m above-sea-level (its summit houses the castle). Thanks to its peculiar shape, it is called "Brich".

It was during Fascism that Brich di Zumaglia acquired its current aspect: the castle was built by the owner on the remains of an old fortress, according to the architectural taste of the time. He also decided to create a park on the slopes of the hill, enriching it with exotic species (in particular, conifers) and several small paths. He also introduced classical architectural features like monuments, flower boxes, and epigraphs.

Given the limited size of Brich di Zumaglia, it is enough to go along the small paths to carry out relaxing walks. Once you reach the castle, you will enjoy a wonderful panorama on the Biellese area. It is possible to have a wilder walk on the summit of Mont Prève (the twin hill, near Brich di Zumaglia) in its characteristic hilly habitat rich in thick woodlands dominated by chestnut trees and ash trees.

Children will appreciate Cascina Alè, where the tenant breeds goats and sheep. Here it is possible to do some physical training thanks to an equipped itinerary. In Ronco there is the "Ecomuseo delle Bielline".

• Baraggia di Candelo (BI): plateau Bellavista
• Baraggia del Piano Rosa (NO)
• Bessa Visitor Center and Recreational Area (Zubiena -Fraz. Vermogno - BI)
• Brich di Zumaglia Castle (BI)