Biella

Biella is a city and comune in the Piedmont region of northern Italy, and the capital of the Province of Biella. It lies in the Biellese plain at the foothills of the Alps, along the Cervo river, surrounded by wooded hills and valleys.

Biella has long been known for its textile industry, historically centered on wool and later on silk and processed fabrics. In the 18th and 19th centuries, textile mills and crafts shaped the local economy, a tradition that persists today alongside newer manufacturing and design activities.

In the city center are the Corso del Piazzo, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta (Duomo) and palaces such as Palazzo La Marmora. The nearby Sanctuary of Oropa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy, attracts pilgrims and visitors.

The Oasi Zegna, a well-known nature reserve in the Biellese Alps, offers hiking and scenic trails and forms part of the area's outdoor attractions.

Biella is served by regional rail connections and road networks linking Turin, Novara, and other Piedmont towns. The surrounding Biellese area also includes valleys and protected landscapes that attract tourists interested in history, industry heritage, and nature.