Ricetto di Candelo
Nearly intact medieval fortified village with about two hundred cells, ancient museum cellars and an ecomuseum devoted to viticulture.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Ricetto di Candelo is a fortified structure built by the inhabitants themselves between the late 13th and the early 14th century, to store harvests and offer shelter in times of danger. The name derives from the Latin “receptum”, meaning shelter. The buildings were not used as permanent dwellings: in peacetime they were storehouses and cellars, and in wartime a temporary refuge.
The complex, almost pentagonal in plan, is enclosed by walls of pebbles with a crenellated crown and has a single entrance guarded by a gate-tower. Inside, five east–west lanes (rue), crossed by two perpendicular routes, connect about two hundred cells. The highest point is the Casa del Principe, built towards the end of the 15th century by Sebastiano Ferrero on top of ancient cellars.
From a museum point of view, the Ricetto is presented as an integrated system: the Ecomuseo della Vitivinicoltura, part of the Ecomuseo del Biellese, comprises cells with tools and winemaking methods, a reconstructed cellar and teaching spaces on wine culture. The village also houses the Centro Documentazione Ricetti del Piemonte and the Belvedere Pistoletto, with a balcony cantilevered over the walls.
Highlights
- Fortified medieval village among the best preserved in Piedmont
- Gate-tower, crenellated walls and Casa del Principe
- Ecomuseum cells with tools and a reconstructed cellar
- Belvedere Pistoletto with balcony over the walls
- Centro Documentazione Ricetti del Piemonte
Permanent exhibition
- Ecomuseo della Vitivinicoltura – Ecomuseum cells with ancient tools and winemaking methods, a reconstructed cellar and teaching spaces on the culture of wine.
- Operated by
- Comune di Candelo, con la Pro Loco di Candelo
- Visitors per year
- approx. 120,000
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The village has cobbled lanes (rue); detailed information on accessibility is not published on the website.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
The website has a page for children with the mascot Ruetto and downloadable materials (Ruetto's book, ABC del Ricetto); workshops for schools and an app with a treasure hunt are offered.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
The site provides a map of Candelo's car parks.
From Turin and Milan take the A4 to the Carisio exit, then the SP230 towards Candelo.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Bookshop with gadgets, postcards and calendars at the reception office; motorhome area, food and accommodation options are listed on the website.
Events & venue rental
- Weddings / ceremonies
The site offers the Ricetto for ceremonies and weddings.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The Pro Loco organises guided tours in Italian, English, French, German and Dutch, including in sign language, as well as visits to the churches of Candelo and to the Baraggia. Educational workshops for schools are available (“A scuola di Medioevo”). A virtual tour and an app with a treasure hunt are also available. |
