Ceres

Access

Ceres is easily reached by train, being the terminus of the historic Turin-Ceres line, currently being modernised. It is also well connected by road, being about 42 km from Turin, in the direction of the Lanzo Valleys. The location makes it accessible for both short day trips and longer stays, especially in summer.

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Introduction

Ceres is a small mountain municipality in the Metropolitan City of Turin, Piedmont, located at an altitude of 704 metres between the Val Grande di Lanzo and the Ala di Stura Valley. Immersed in an area rich in forests and streams, the village has been known since the 19th century as a summer health resort and starting point for excursions in the surrounding valleys. The name of the village is the subject of different interpretations: some link it to the goddess Ceres, some to the presence of once abundant cherry trees, and some attribute its origin to an ancient personal name, Cirrus, while the medieval form 'Cerex' documents its existence as early as the early Middle Ages. Today, Ceres retains an identity strongly linked to the mountains, with a rich historical, architectural and spiritual heritage distributed between the main town and the numerous hamlets.

Description

The territory of Ceres covers an area of almost 28 km² and includes typically alpine environments: wooded slopes, small cultivated plains and side valleys crossed by streams and torrents. Chestnut forests, in particular, characterise a large part of the landscape, while the varied morphology allows for an articulated development of the settlement, distributed over several hamlets and localities such as Arveir, Bracchiello, Chiamorio, Voragno, Fè and Vana. The railway bridge over the Stura d'Ala, built in 1916, marks one of the most evocative access points to the village.
The historical origins of Ceres are closely linked to those of the Lanzo valleys and the medieval dominion of the county of Turin. We learn from the chronicles that in 1318 the parish priest placed himself under the protection of the Count of Savoy, to whom he symbolically paid 'a pound of wax'. In 1724, the fief was granted to Count Leonardo Cotti of Scurzolengo. Like many other mountain municipalities in Piedmont, Ceres too has experienced a progressive decline in population over the centuries, from 2,226 inhabitants at the beginning of the 20th century to less than 900 today. A decline linked to the difficulty of agricultural life in the mountains and emigration to the plains and urban areas.
The historic centre of Ceres is dominated by the parish church of the Assunta, built between 1733 and 1754, considered one of the most beautiful in the entire valley area. Inside, the wooden pulpit sculpted by Giovanni Antonio Riva and the 20th-century decorations stand out. Adjacent to the building is the Oratory of the Holy Cross (1755), which preserves important elements of the ancient medieval church. Also noteworthy is the Romanesque-Gothic bell tower of the previous parish church, dating back to the 12th century, which survived the demolition of the old church.
Popular spirituality is deeply rooted in the area, as demonstrated by the numerous country chapels. Among these are the Chapel of the Holy Shroud in Voragno, which preserves fine frescoes, the Chapel of Pian di Ceres frescoed in 1577 by Giovanni Oldrado Perini, and the 14th-century Chapel of Santa Cristina, decorated in the 17th century. The Sanctuary of the Madonna degli Olmetti and the Chapel of the Angels near Pian di Ceres complete this rich devotional panorama. The humpbacked Vana bridge, built in 1740, is a singular example of alpine architecture.
The local economy has seen a sharp decline in agriculture, once buoyant with the cultivation of rye, potatoes, oats and hemp. Agricultural activity now survives in a residual form, while summer tourism is one of the main resources, albeit of a seasonal nature. The holiday tradition, already developed in the 19th century, continues to attract visitors in search of tranquillity, good air and authentic mountain landscapes. The accommodation facilities are modest but functional, and the village is populated in summer by holidaymakers and hiking enthusiasts.
Ceres is also home to the Museum of the People of the Lanzo Valleys, which collects material evidence of peasant and mountain culture: agricultural tools, objects of daily use, documents and photographs that tell of the work, traditions and life of Alpine communities.
There are numerous and well-distributed excursion itineraries: from paths leading to the highest and most isolated hamlets, to ascents to the surrounding mountains, including routes suitable for families and inexperienced walkers. The mountain environment and the network of trails offer possibilities for trekking, nature walks, and visits to places of popular spirituality. The discreet and silent charm of these valleys, often far from the mass tourist circuits, represents a strong point for those seeking authenticity and memory.

Information

Area: 27.87 km²
Altitude:704m
Maximum elevation: 2,463m - Monte Doubia
Number of inhabitants: 894 as of 31.12.2024
Name in dialect: Cerés
Name in dialect: Ceresini
Patron Saint: Santa Maria Assunta, celebrated on 15 August
Bordering municipalities: Ala di Stura, Cantoira, Chialamberto, Groscavallo, Mezzenile, Monastero di Lanzo, Pessinetto
Website: www.comune.ceres.to.it