Bra
Overview
The town of Bra lies among Roero Hills and it is well known because of its culture, history and gastronomy specialties. The city of nearly 30,000 inhabitants is famous in Italy and around the world for being the homeland of the Slow Food movement, for its excellent sausage, for its international events and for being one of the cradles of Piedmontese Baroque. Thanks to events such as “BRA’S”, dedicated to its peculiar sausage, the international festival “Cheese – le forme del latte”, Da Cortile a Cortile, Bra Mon Amour, the Children’s Book Fair, Granfondo Bra-Bra (in its 30th edition in 2023) and the Easter and Easter Monday Fair, Bra has become a well-known tourist destination.
Food
Bra is also considered a land of good food and excellent wines known and appreciated even beyond national borders. First of all the “Salsiccia di Bra, a peculiar type of veal sausage to be eaten raw and the only one authorized directly by the House of Savoy. The other well-known product is cheese, which is celebrated every two years with the International Festival “Cheese – le forme del latte”
The great attention to the quality of life and sustainable mobility and many activities to promote and protect local trade and local craftsmanship has led Bra to be one of the four Italian municipalities that founded the CittàSlow movement. A commitment which is testified by the numerous national awards received during the years, including “Spiga Verde” and the certification of Free Waste Municipality by Legambiente.
Points of Interest
Walking through the streets and discovering the squares of the city you will find the Town Hall, the church of Santa Chiara, a masterpiece by the royal architect Bernardo Antonio Vittone, the church of the Holy Trinity, also known as “Battuti Bianchi”, all considered to be admirable examples of Piedmontese Baroque, which here has one of its most admirable manifestations. Bra counts also several museums such as the Natural History museums, the Art, History and Archeology Museum and the Toy Museum, but also the Bike Museum that exhibits unique pieces both from the history of two wheels and from the Giro d’Italia and La Zizzola – Casa dei Braidesi which hosts a multimedia museum and a park with a breathtaking panorama.
In only five minutes by car you will find the village of Pollenzo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, whose square overlooks an architectural complex of buildings that recall the ancient splendor of one of the Savoy residences. In these ancient premises is located the University of Gastronomic Sciences which involves students from all over the world; the characteristic tower that dominates the square houses The Bank of Wine.
