Piazzo was established by Bishop Uguccione to consolidate power against the local Avogadro family.
The name 'Piazza della Cisterna' refers to the historic underground water collection system built beneath the square.
The village was the seat of the Biella municipal government from the Middle Ages until the 19th century.
Many of the local historic palazzi feature internal courtyards designed to provide privacy and shelter from harsh Alpine winds.
The funicular that connects the Piazzo to the lower city was inaugurated in 1885.
Several buildings in Piazzo retain original 14th-century brickwork hidden beneath later plaster renovations.
During the 17th century, the Piazzo served as a refuge for the local nobility during plague outbreaks in the lower valley.
Piazzo, also known as Biella Piazzo, is a medieval hilltop village overlooking the modern city of Biella. Founded in 1160, it retains its original defensive layout with steep, narrow alleyways known as 'coste'. The Piazza della Cisterna serves as the central hub, once the site of political power and public markets. Its architecture is characterized by 16th and 17th-century palazzi with stone porticos and terracotta facades. The village is physically separated from Biella Piano by the steep hillside, historically connected by a funicular. The area contains significant cultural landmarks including the Church of San Giacomo and the Palazzo Gromo Losa. It functions as a residential and historic site rather than a commercial tourist district.
The center of Piazza della Cisterna looking toward the historic porticos.
Wear sturdy walking shoes as the historic center is paved with uneven cobblestones and steep inclines.
Explore the 'coste' (steep pedestrian shortcuts) for the best views of the surrounding Biellese landscape.
Bring a camera; the lighting in the narrow alleys is often dramatic in the late afternoon.
Attempting to drive a car into the historic center, as access is restricted and streets are extremely narrow.
Respect that this is a functioning residential neighborhood; maintain quiet volumes in residential alleys.
