You don’t just visit Ivrea – you experience it. Enjoy a journey through the centuries, where history meets innovation. This “20th-century industrial city”, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a precious mosaic of architecture, little lanes and museums. Let’s explore it together!
First stopIvrea CastleVisit time: 1 hour 15 minutesPanoramic walk and weekend guided tours.It’s well worth visiting, if only to admire the magnificent views of Ivrea and the morainic hills. After a long period of restoration, the 14th-century “castle with the red towers”, as the poet Giosué Carducci described it, has reopened its doors, offering captivating guided tours. Today, you can observe the courtyard, walk along the patrol paths and enter the old prison cells. The visits take place from May to October, on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. |
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| It’s well worth visiting, if only to admire the magnificent views of Ivrea and the morainic hills. After a long period of restoration, the 14th-century “castle with the red towers”, as the poet Giosué Carducci described it, has reopened its doors, offering captivating guided tours. Today, you can observe the courtyard, walk along the patrol paths and enter the old prison cells. The visits take place from May to October, on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. |
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Second stopIvrea CathedralVisit time: 20 minutesThe Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta - from Romanesque to Baroque.An intimate visit with a solemn atmosphere. Ivrea Cathedral showcases a blend of different styles, with its Romanesque bell towers, a Neoclassical façade and opulent Baroque interiors. The evocative medieval crypt is particularly striking, with its low colonnade and 15th-century frescoes. The Cathedral stands next to Palazzo del Vescovado, a short distance from the castle. |
| An intimate visit with a solemn atmosphere. Ivrea Cathedral showcases a blend of different styles, with its Romanesque bell towers, a Neoclassical façade and opulent Baroque interiors. The evocative medieval crypt is particularly striking, with its low colonnade and 15th-century frescoes. The Cathedral stands next to Palazzo del Vescovado, a short distance from the castle. |
Third stopGarda Civic MuseumVisit time: 1 - 2 hoursVisit the collections on your own or with a guideThe museum, located in Piazza Ottinetti, in Ivrea’s historic centre has a great deal to offer visitors: the Guelpa – Croff Collection of paintings, the archaeological collection, the Oriental collection, sections dedicated to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance and works ranging from the Seventeenth century to contemporary times. You’ll also find numismatic collections, engravings, lithographs and prints, as well as a variety of scheduled temporary exhibitions. If you’re visiting Ivrea with the children, the museum periodically organises workshops, storytelling events and educational activities. |
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| The museum, located in Piazza Ottinetti, in Ivrea’s historic centre has a great deal to offer visitors: the Guelpa – Croff Collection of paintings, the archaeological collection, the Oriental collection, sections dedicated to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance and works ranging from the Seventeenth century to contemporary times. You’ll also find numismatic collections, engravings, lithographs and prints, as well as a variety of scheduled temporary exhibitions. If you’re visiting Ivrea with the children, the museum periodically organises workshops, storytelling events and educational activities. |
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Fourth stopPiazza di Città and lunchVisit time: 1 hour 30 minutesPrestige and conviviality - two sides of the same coin.Far more than just a public space – it’s Ivrea’s warm welcome to all its visitors! In the square, you’ll see the prestigious Palazzo di Città, which has been serving as the Town Hall since the last century. This is where the city’s main avenues fan out – they’re perfect for a pleasant stroll. Naturally, there are plenty of cafés and restaurants in the area, where you can stop for an aperitif or a traditional lunch, while enjoying Ivrea’s authentic everyday rhythm. |
| Far more than just a public space – it’s Ivrea’s warm welcome to all its visitors! In the square, you’ll see the prestigious Palazzo di Città, which has been serving as the Town Hall since the last century. This is where the city’s main avenues fan out – they’re perfect for a pleasant stroll. Naturally, there are plenty of cafés and restaurants in the area, where you can stop for an aperitif or a traditional lunch, while enjoying Ivrea’s authentic everyday rhythm. |
Fifth stopPonte Vecchio and BorghettoVisit time: 30 minutesThe bridge over the Dora Baltea river leads you to one of Ivrea’s most distinctive districts.After lunch, make your way to Ponte Vecchio a bridge of Roman origin and part of the famous Via Francigena. Crossing it means following in the footsteps of the pilgrims and merchants who travelled along this route for centuries. Built in local stone, the bridge is your gateway to the Borghetto, a picturesque district in the city, featuring courtyards, workshops and captivating little corners. A couple of extra tips: visit the Church of San Gaudenzio and admire the scenic view of Ivrea from the bridge. |
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| After lunch, make your way to Ponte Vecchio a bridge of Roman origin and part of the famous Via Francigena. Crossing it means following in the footsteps of the pilgrims and merchants who travelled along this route for centuries. Built in local stone, the bridge is your gateway to the Borghetto, a picturesque district in the city, featuring courtyards, workshops and captivating little corners. A couple of extra tips: visit the Church of San Gaudenzio and admire the scenic view of Ivrea from the bridge. |
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Sixth stopThe Olivetti itineraryVisit time: 1 hour 30 minutesMAAM – Olivetti Open-Air Museum of Modern ArchitectureA 2 km pedestrian route through Via Jervis and neighbouring streets, where you’ll find some of the most famous buildings in the history of Olivetti. About 15 minutes from the Borghetto, the itinerary highlights the architecture that once housed workshops, services and residences built for Olivetti employees. Just like the buildings in which Borgo Olivetti and Borgo 229T are now located! Seven information points are installed along the route, which is accessible free of charge. Guided tours are also organised periodically. |
| A 2 km pedestrian route through Via Jervis and neighbouring streets, where you’ll find some of the most famous buildings in the history of Olivetti. About 15 minutes from the Borghetto, the itinerary highlights the architecture that once housed workshops, services and residences built for Olivetti employees. Just like the buildings in which Borgo Olivetti and Borgo 229T are now located! Seven information points are installed along the route, which is accessible free of charge. Guided tours are also organised periodically. |
Seventh stopWorkshop - Tecnologic@mente MuseumVisit time: 1 hour 15 minutesThe permanent exhibition dedicated to Olivetti’s industrial vision.Typewriters, calculators, the legendary Programma 101 (the first desktop computer): this museum is a tangible journey into the Olivetti era and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Ivrea. The section dedicated to interactive workshops is very popular, featuring games and experiments that offer a better understanding of Olivetti’s technology and corporate values. To complete your experience, don’t miss the Olivetti Historical Archive Digital Exhibitions. |
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| Typewriters, calculators, the legendary Programma 101 (the first desktop computer): this museum is a tangible journey into the Olivetti era and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Ivrea. The section dedicated to interactive workshops is very popular, featuring games and experiments that offer a better understanding of Olivetti’s technology and corporate values. To complete your experience, don’t miss the Olivetti Historical Archive Digital Exhibitions. |
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Eighth stopOlivetti Historical ArchiveVisit time: 1 hour 30 minutesWhere it all began: documents, dreams, people who made history.After exploring Tecnologic@mente, you can enrich your Olivetti itinerary with a visit to the Olivetti Historical Archive. Situated in the very heart of the industrial complex, it contains documents, photos, posters, designs and evidence illustrating the company’s cultural, social and industrial vision. You can also explore the multimedia installations of the Digital Exhibition. Guided tours are available by booking, from Monday to Friday, from 9 AM to 12 noon and from 2 PM to 5 PM. |
| After exploring Tecnologic@mente, you can enrich your Olivetti itinerary with a visit to the Olivetti Historical Archive. Situated in the very heart of the industrial complex, it contains documents, photos, posters, designs and evidence illustrating the company’s cultural, social and industrial vision. You can also explore the multimedia installations of the Digital Exhibition. Guided tours are available by booking, from Monday to Friday, from 9 AM to 12 noon and from 2 PM to 5 PM. |
Ninth stopNaviglio di IvreaVisit time: 15 minutesThis beautiful 16th-century canal on the Dora Baltea river starts right in the historic city centre.It was created to divert the river’s waters and use them for irrigation. It winds its way southeast from the centre of Ivrea before heading northwest towards the Province of Vercelli. Nearby, you can see the ruins of the Roman amphitheatre dating back to the 1st century AD, a quiet reminder of the city’s ancient past. After spending a day exploring the city, this relaxing final stop is the perfect way to unwind and perhaps enjoy the colourful reflections of the sunset on the water. |
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| It was created to divert the river’s waters and use them for irrigation. It winds its way southeast from the centre of Ivrea before heading northwest towards the Province of Vercelli. Nearby, you can see the ruins of the Roman amphitheatre dating back to the 1st century AD, a quiet reminder of the city’s ancient past. After spending a day exploring the city, this relaxing final stop is the perfect way to unwind and perhaps enjoy the colourful reflections of the sunset on the water. |
