Vercelli

Access

Vercelli is well connected: it is located along the Genoa-Gravellona Toce motorway and along the Turin-Milan motorway, while the railway station is an important hub on the Turin-Milan high-speed line and for connections to Biella, Novara and Valsesia. The nearest airports are Milan-Malpensa and Turin-Caselle, both about an hour away.

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Introduction

Vercelli is the capital of the province of the same name in Piedmont and lies on the Vercelli plain, one of the most fertile and productive agricultural areas in Italy. The city is situated along the banks of the River Sesia, halfway between Turin and Milan, in a flat area that extends towards the hills of Monferrato and the foothills of the Alps to the north. The surrounding landscape is dominated by rice paddies, making Vercelli the rice capital of Europe.

Description

The origins of the city are ancient: it was a Roman centre with the name of Vercellae and already in imperial times it represented a strategic junction along the road to Gaul. In the Middle Ages, Vercelli was a free commune, with a lively political and cultural life, and was home to one of the first city statutes in Europe. Its historical and artistic heritage is witnessed by important religious buildings, such as the Basilica of Sant'Andrea, a masterpiece of Italian Gothic architecture, and the Cathedral of Sant'Eusebio, whose history is intertwined with that of early Christianity in Piedmont.

The urban fabric is developed around historic squares and streets, with stately palaces, porticoes and medieval towers. The city has a long cultural tradition: the University of Vercelli, one of the first in Italy, was founded here in 1228, and over the centuries it has continued to distinguish itself as a centre for religious, legal and literary studies.

Vercelli's economy is strongly linked to agriculture, particularly rice growing, which is its most recognisable symbol. Alongside this sector, there are industrial activities and services, while tourism focuses mainly on the historical, artistic and religious aspects. There are numerous events and fairs dedicated to rice and typical local products.

From a cultural and traditional point of view, Vercelli hosts events such as the Caresana Ox Race, linked to the rural world, and historical re-enactments. The local cuisine is distinguished by risottos, such as 'panissa', a typical dish made with rice, beans and salame della duja, accompanied by wines from the nearby hills, including Gattinara and Ghemme.

The range of excursions is mainly linked to the plain, with cycle routes among the rice fields, and to the nearby hills of Monferrato and Valsesia, the gateway to the Pennine Alps. The geographic position allows easy access to Monte Rosa and its itineraries, offering the city a hinge function between the plains and the mountains.

Information

Area: 79.78 sq. km
Altitude: 130m
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 Number of inhabitants: 46714
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Neighbouring towns and villages:
 Villages and hamlets:Asigliano Vercellese, Borgo Vercelli, Caresanablot, Desana, Lignana, Olcenengo, Palestro, Prarolo, Salasco, Sali Vercellese, San Germano Vercellese, Villata, Vinzaglio, Quinto Vercellese