Netro

Access

Netro can be reached from the Biellese and Canavese plains via the provincial road connecting Mongrando and the Elvo valley with Donato and the Dora Baltea valley. The main connections are via the ordinary road network: the nearest motorway exits are Santhià on the (Turin-Milan) and Albiano d'Ivrea on the (Turin-Aosta), from which one ascends towards Biella. The locality is not directly served by railway lines, but is connected by extra-urban bus lines to the main town of Biella and Ivrea.

.

Introduction

Located in the south-western part of the province of Biella, Netro extends on the slopes of Mombarone, in the Elvo basin, straddling the Biellese Pre-Alps and the Aosta Valley. Its territory, mainly mountainous and hilly, is characterised by a landscape that combines woods, watercourses and cultivated terraces. The town is developed in a panoramic position, offering wide views over the Vercelli and Canavese plains. Its strategic position, straddling the Po Valley and the Alpine ranges, has favoured stable settlements and activities related to both sheep farming and stone working since ancient times.

Description

The history of Netro is linked to an ancient tradition of quarrying and working soapstone, used since Roman times for the production of utensils and household objects. Over the centuries, this activity has represented a central element of the local economy and a distinctive sign of the material culture of the area. Today, the Museo della Pietra Ollare e degli Scalpellini (Soapstone and Stonemasons Museum) preserves its memory, recounting the work, tools and lives of the craftsmen who made the village famous. In addition to stone, Netro has maintained an agricultural imprint, with crops and livestock farming linked to the mountain environment, while in recent decades it has also experienced development linked to local tourism and hiking.

The historic centre retains traces of its medieval origins, with cobbled streets, stone houses and small votive chapels dotting the urban fabric and surrounding area. Notable buildings include the parish church of San Giorgio, which houses valuable works of art and evidence of local devotion. The numerous hamlets scattered along the slopes still maintain an authentic atmosphere of rural architecture and evocative views.

From a naturalistic point of view, Netro is an ideal starting point for excursions along the paths that connect the Elvo valley with the Mombarone ridge, from which one can enjoy views ranging from the Graie and Pennine Alps to the Piedmont plain. The surrounding woods, rich in chestnut and beech trees, are home to a varied fauna and are a destination for walks and outdoor activities. The area is also marked by the presence of mule tracks and ancient connecting routes, now recovered as tourist and cultural itineraries.

The town's cultural life revolves around patronal festivals and fairs that celebrate local traditions, including soapstone working and typical mountain cuisine. The events provide opportunities to meet and enhance the intangible heritage, with re-enactments, exhibitions and initiatives that keep the community memory alive.

Information

Area: 12.57 square kilometres
Altitude: 606m
Maximum elevation:
Number of inhabitants: 1019
Name in dialect:
 Inhabitant name:
Patron Saint:
Internet site:
 Webcam:
Neighbouring towns: Donato, Graglia, Mongrando
 Villages and hamlets:
Alps: