Castrum Berengari

Castrum Berengari: Balangero recounts its Middle Ages

In the heart of the Valli di Lanzo, just a few kilometres from Turin, the municipality of Balangero dedicates an entire weekend to rediscovering its historical identity with Castrum Berengari. The event, scheduled for Saturday, July 11th, and Sunday, July 12th, 2026, invites residents and visitors on a journey through time, spanning from the Middle Ages to the present day.

The name and origins: Berengario II of Ivrea

The event's title is no coincidence. Balangero's origins date back to the 10th century, when a fortified castle was built on the Truc hill, traditionally attributed to Berengario II, Marquess of Ivrea and King of Italy. The oldest document mentioning the village, dated 1151, refers to it as Castrum Berengarii. In the medieval period, this fortification played a crucial strategic role: it guarded the gateway to the Valli di Lanzo, controlling trade and passage toward the mountains. Rediscovering this legacy means tracing the thread that connects the ancient manor to the contemporary community of Balangero.

A network of widespread culture: the Festival dei Saperi

Castrum Berengari does not stand alone; it is part of the Festival dei Saperi 2026, an ambitious cultural project promoted by the Unione Montana dei Comuni delle Valli di Lanzo, Ceronda e Casternone. The festival brings together fifteen local municipalities, each with its own event, around a single guiding theme: "A territory that tells its own story," aimed at enhancing the tangible and intangible heritage of the valleys. From the La Cisrà in Lanzo Torinese to the Storie di Cortili in Corio, the festival brings the villages to life from May to September, with Balangero representing one of its most evocative summer stops.

What to expect

Designed as a narrative journey through the town's history, the event weaves together medieval memory, local traditions, and community identity. Within the walls of the historic centre and the spaces that preserve the memory of the castle, the event offers a story of the territory capable of engaging families, history enthusiasts, and the curious.

• Setting in the historic centre of Balangero, in the shadow of the medieval castrum's memory
• A common thread connecting the Middle Ages, the village's history, and contemporary life
• Inclusion in the coordinated programme of the Valli di Lanzo Festival dei Saperi
• An opportunity to discover an authentic corner of the Province of Turin, in Piedmont

For those wishing to combine culture and nature, Balangero is also an ideal starting point for exploring the Valli di Lanzo, with its alpine landscapes, hiking trails, and history-rich villages.