Bene Vagienna, Italy (Piedmont): What to See, Eat & Stay

The name shrank over the centuries: from the Bagienni, the Ligurian people here before the Romans, came Augusta Bagiennorum, then Bagienne, then Baenne, and at last simply Bene, perhaps partly for good omen. The Roman city was laid out on the solstices and the equinoxes, and its forum, theatre and amphitheatre remain; when it was destroyed, in the sixth century, the town rebuilt itself further north-east, where two streams meet.

On 12 August 1561 the delegates of Bene paid the duchy twelve thousand gold scudi to be rid of the Costa lordship and never again be enfeoffed to anyone who was not the prince of Piedmont: so the papers in the town archive record.

The Bene Vagienna guide

Where to stay

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Events & festivals 1

Next up: Saint Gotthard, patron of the town of the Blessed Paola, Sunday 9 May

Getting there

Nearest airport: Torino Caselle, 74 km away

🎉 Festivals and feasts in Bene Vagienna 1

Patron saint festival In 205 days

Saint Gotthard, patron of the town of the Blessed Paola

📅 Every year, on the second Sunday of May; the most cherished feast is dedicated to Blessed Paola

Bene Vagienna celebrates Saint Gotthard on the second Sunday of May; the town's most important feast, however, is dedicated to Blessed Paola Gambara Costa, who arrived as bride of the Count of Bene in 1486, whose arrival is commemorated with a historical re-enactment of the wedding procession to the sound of clarions and drums.

What's around

Straight-line distances from the town centre. Tap a point to open its page.