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Villa Piazzo is a large four-storey neoclassical building surrounded by a large park; it is located on the top (called the “Piazzo”) of the hill of Pettinengo, in the province of Biella; that very location has been nicknamed “the balcony of Biella” for its evocative and spectacular panorama.

The villa was built in the second half of the XIX century for the Bellia family, the founders of Liabel textile brand.

A series of paths, once used by the workers who commuted from the hills to the factories in the valley, has recently been cleaned up and, when taking a stroll visitors can enjoy the cultural heritage and the true natural beauty of the area admiring old chapels and oratories, as well as many examples of industrial archaeology, including the ancient Zorio knitwear factory and the remains of a knitting facility of the early decades of the XIX century, which was eventually destroyed by a fire.

The villa is now owned by the Municipality and it’s the seat of Pacefuturo Association, which organizes cultural and recreational events.

The park

The villa is surrounded by a large English park, full of remarkable tree specimens, including a spectacular Lebanon cedar (Cedrus libani), sequoias, araucarias, chestnuts (Castanea sativa), beeches (Fagus sylvatica “Purpurea”), pines (Pinus pinea), oaks (Quercus robur), and hornbeams (Carpinus betulus).

There are also several acclaimed works of art by Michelangelo Pistoletto, including “Opera del Terzo Paradiso”, a symbol of the Pacefuturo association.

Cultural associations

The Pacefuturo association is based in Pettinengo and organizes cultural events and initiatives for peace and the future of mankind; the Little Fairy association is, instead, active in the recovery and preservation of the local culture and traditions; Casa Clementina association, on the other hand, was created to rediscover and treasure the national and international textile culture.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)