Legend has it that around the year 1000 a girl called Isabella walked out to meet the Norman army about to sack the village, armed with nothing but a cross: she got the sack called off and found herself head of the community. The town's name is said to come from her. Historians do not mention her, but on the coat of arms, above the tower, stands a warrior goddess, Bellona.
Bella sits on a hill between two torrents, at the foot of Monte Santa Croce, which reaches 1425 metres. The town grew up around a watchtower, and the houses leaned against walls whose gates were shut at night; there are 5,240 residents today.
Straight-line distances from the town centre. Tap a point to open its page.
Near Bella
The closest destinations covered by our editors, with straight-line distance.
Places to see within 25 km
Outside Bella, but an easy day trip away.