Turin Hills

The Turin Hills (Colle Torinese in Italian) lie just east of Turin and stretch for a few dozen kilometres. As soon as you leave the city, the land rises through woods that quickly give way to deep countryside, among small rolling fields, vineyards and woodland, with villages located off the tourist trail. The range extends to Chieri in the south, Borgognano in the north-east, Arignano and Moncucco Torinese on the border with the province of Asti.
On its western side, the Basilica of Superga overlooks the Turin conurbation.

Besides the interesting small town of medieval origin, Chieri, at the foot of the hills, which has several interesting churches, the appeal of this region lies first and foremost in its largely unspoilt nature, and on the cultural heritage side, the Vezzolano Abbey in the eastern part of the hills, in Romanesque and Gothic style, just inside the province of Asti.

Vezzolano Abbey

The Vezzolano Abbey is a superb Romanesque and Gothic church located near Albugnano in the province of Asti.
Its foundation is linked to a legend in which Charlemagne, who came hunting in the woods in 773, was surprised by three skeletons emerging from a tomb, which prompted him to build an abbey church here. In reality, a building already existed in Lombard times. It was rebuilt from 1002 after being destroyed by the Saracens.
The beautiful facade is typically Romanesque with two alternating colours, as is often found in the region and in Tuscany.
The interior, one nave of which was incorporated into the cloister, is partly Gothic with French inspiration, with its pointed arches, a finely decorated jubé, and sculptures from the Burgundian school of the late 12th century. The cloister notably preserves superb frescoes, particularly from the 14th century.

Chieri

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