History
The village Vagienna, also known by the famous name Bene Vagienna, is located in the province of Cuneo. Its long history has its roots in Roman times and therefore becomes a destination for tourists and visitors every year. In particular, this small town in the Langhe, was named Augusta Bagiennorum because of the Ligurian population that inhabited it, namely the Vagienni. Augusta, on the other hand, is the appellation that referred to the Roman colonies. In fact, extraordinary Roman buildings and a number of artifacts from the period can still be admired on its territory, preserved inside the Lucerna Di Rorà Palace, home to the Civic Archaeological Museum.
After its decline, the village was renamed Bene. Between 887 and 1387, it was ruled by the bishops of Asti; later, it returned among the possessions of the Savoy family, around the mid-1500s, until the dawn of the Italian Republic. In 1800 it was recognized as a town, but it was not until 1862 that the full name of the village was given: Bene Vagienna, in honor of its ancient splendors.
What to see in Bene Vagienna
Walking through the streets of Bene Vagienna, it is possible to admire the charming parish church of the Assumption. The imposing Baroque-style structure, typical of the 17th century, gives greater prominence to the Gothic bell tower, equipped with an octagonal spire that belonged to the church as early as the 15th century.
The Baroque also affected the Church of Mercy, the Church of St. Francis, inside which a richly decorated wooden choir dating back to the Renaissance is still preserved, and the Chapel of the Epiphany. Upon entering the interior of the latter, visitors will be able to observe one of the many stuccoes dating back to the 18th century, belonging to the Beltramelli brothers, which depicts the Magi visiting the Baby Jesus. This is characterized by the extraordinary green-blue coloring and the particular shape of the medallions. Turning your gaze to the left of the altar, you can also notice a small chapel, in which are kept the remains of Countess Paola Gambara Costa, a well-known local blessed, to whom the January 24 feast day is still dedicated, during which the faithful can relive the miracle of the roses. The chapel altar, designed by Juvarra in 1725, is an extraordinary marble work that gives prominence to Beumont's depiction of Blessed Paola.
Also worth visiting is the Church of San Bernardino, which was the meeting place of the town's confraternity. The opulent entrance, called the Entrance of Paradise, is traced to Gerolamo Canetta, a well-known sculptor from Milan. Strolling through the aisles, tourists can admire the building from the inside, appreciating its Greek-cross plan, Luganese stucco work, wood carvings by Perucca and an extraordinary 17th-century organ by Botto.
Moving further through the village streets, the Town Hall building, located near the parish and decorated externally with special frescoes, and the Magistrati Palace stand out. Built in medieval times, it too underwent the Baroque renovation process between the 17th and 18th centuries. Inside, sculptural works by the Beltramelli brothers are visible.
Buildings of cultural-historical interest also include Casa Levi, which belonged to the father of the well-known writer Primo Levi, the Palazzo Marchesi del Villar, currently the headquarters of a banking institution that is characterized by a particular detail: one of the facades is in medieval style, while the other is typically Baroque. Finally, during a visit to Bene Vagienna it is possible to visit Palazzo Lucerna, known for having hosted in 1796 Napoleon Bonaparte, who was engaged in the Italian campaign. To this day it houses inside it the Civic and Archaeological Museum in which it is possible to view some of the most important finds from the Roman era.
Activities and events in Bene Vagienna
The village Bene Vagienna is an ideal destination for out-of-town trips and short stays throughout the year. Indeed, events and happenings are held throughout the months. Not only that, there are points of interest in the immediate vicinity where activities and cultural visits can be enjoyed.
As far as the village is concerned, among the most important festivals it is possible to mention the theater festival Ferie di Augusto. In fact, every summer, at the ancient theater Augusta Bagiennorum, there is a festival dedicated to classical Roman theater with the tragedies of Plautus and Aeschylus, but also to contemporary theater with cabaret shows.
On the other hand, if you are looking for activities to do in the municipalities and areas surrounding Bene Vagienna, you cannot fail to mention the Madonnina Natural Oasis. Located in Sant'Albano Stura, it is located within an old quarry. Here, in an area covering more than 200,000 square meters, a perfect marsh environment has been recreated in which to observe birds and avian species.
A little more than 20 km away from the center of Bene Vagienna is the enchanting Sanctuary of Vicoforte. Erected in the Baroque style, it is distinguished by the presence of an imposing elliptical dome. Its size has earned it the title of the largest dome in the world. The same title was also awarded to the interior fresco. Visitors can explore the basilica by wearing helmets and harnesses to climb up to a height of 75 meters, and walk inside the tunnels and then reach the dome.
Finally, notable activities to do near Bene Vagienna include hiking in the Langhe. More specifically, it is possible to ride several bicycle routes that connect the village to the hills, admiring breathtaking views of the Alps and the surrounding nature.
Typical products in Bene Vagienna
The typical products of Piedmont and more specifically of the Langhe are varied. However, as far as Bene Vagienna is concerned, it is possible to mention Madama Racchia's Basins. These are in fact produced by a local pastry shop according to an ancient recipe. They are shortbread cookies enriched with hazelnuts and filled with raspberry and apple jam, wrapped one by one. Local specialties also include Amaretti del Presidente, sweet almond-based sweets created around 1950 by a pastry shop in the historic center to honor Luigi Einaudi, who was visiting Bene Vagienna.
