Spring has arrived and with it one of the most spectacular blooms that every year attracts numerous visitors in the heart of Piedmont: the flowering of the narcissi at the Burcina Park. This corner of paradise, located in the Morenic hills of the Biella, offers a breathtaking view of an expanse of flowers that explode of color, making the landscape even more enchanting.
The magic of the flowering of the narcissi
Every spring, starting from April until early May, the narcissi in flower color the park with their shades of white and yellow, this year the flowering has anticipated. The expanse of these flowers among the centuries -old trees creates a show of rare beauty, which makes the Burcina park one of the most suggestive destinations for those who want to live an immersive experience in nature.
The Burcina Park
The Burcina Park is a fascinating historical garden located on the homonymous “Brik Burcina”, a sweet hill that stands close to the Biella Alps. The history of this extraordinary naturalistic heritage began in the mid-1800s, when Giovanni Piacenza (1811-1883) started the acquisition of different land on the southern and western slopes of the hill. These first plots were enriched with majestic sequoie near the lake, imposing cedars of the Atlas upstream of the main headquarters, elegant strobus and numerous other botanical species.
John’s work was continued and expanded by his son Felice (1843-1938), who for almost half a century kept his time at the time of the expansion and ability of the park. Felice acquired new land, personally designed an articulated network of roads and paths, and enriched the garden with countless arboreal species, including the spectacular Rododendri valley that still today, in mid -May, gives visitors a scenario of incomparable beauty.
What makes Felice Piacenza’s work particularly remarkable is that, despite being an industrialist, he did not use landscape architects, but he himself was the creator and the creator of this magnificent landscape. In addition to the botanical wealth, the park stands out for the refined landscape composition: a romantic pond, large practices surrounded by woods as in the Valfenera area, the suggestive beech forest of the Pian Plà, the elegant viale dei Lirioodendri, the famous Valle dei Rododendri, a Mediterranean area and panoramic points that offer breathtaking views from the mountains to the plain, from Monviso. to the Adamello.
Enzo Piacenza (1892-1968), son of Felice, continued the family tradition by giving in 1950 a new entrance to the park, designed by the renowned Florentine landscapeist Pietro Porcinai according to his father’s wishes. In the last 15 years of his life, Enzo invited the most illustrious European botanists to the park and, a few months before his death, he personally devoted himself to restoring the areas devastated by the violent storm of Föhn who hit the area in February 1967.
In 1934 the park became the property of the Municipality of Biella, which gradually expanded its surface to the current 57 hectares. Finally, in 1980, with the regional law n ° 29, the “Felice Piacenza” Burcina park was officially established, definitively consecrating this naturalistic jewel as a heritage to be preserved for future generations.
Although the flowering of narcissi is one of the most fascinating events, the Burcina Park offers beauty at any time of the year. In summer, the park turns into an oasis of fresh, while in autumn the leaves of the trees are tinged with warm colors. Even in winter, the beauty of the park does not vanish: the snowy landscape is a real show for the eyes.
How to reach the Burcina Park
The Burcina Park is located a few kilometers from the city of Biella, easily accessible by car. There are also parking spaces and paths accessible on foot, which allow you to explore the whole park at your own pace. The best time to visit it, of course, is during the flowering of the narcissi, but each season offers something special.
