Welcome
to Balmetti

logo - J Amis dij Balmit

Where the mountain breathes

A group of friends who have always been in love with the Balmetti

logo - J Amis dij Balmit

Raising awareness of the Balmetti

The "J Amis dij Balmit" Committee was founded in 2018 to raise awareness of the Balmetti di Borgofranco d’Ivrea and enhance their tourist and economic value.

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The Balmetti are
“natural refrigerators”

Get to know the Balmetti,
where the mountain “breathes”

The word "Balmetto" derives from "Balma", an ancient term of Ligurian origin which means ravine, shelter under the rock, man-made cave. The Balmetti are natural cellars in which the temperature remains constant (on average 10 degrees centigrade) thanks to air currents that flow from the belly of the mountain and slip between the cracks in the rocks created following the retreat of the ancient Balteo Glacier. This very particular geo-natural phenomenon has always been exploited for the conservation of food and wine.

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Life at the Balmetti

For the inhabitants of Borgofranco d’Ivrea, the Balmetti have always been a meeting place, or party location, in which to enjoy—especially on hot summer days—"sinoire" (snacks of cured meats, cheeses, and other typical products) in the company of family and friends, to celebrate anniversaries and other holidays, or explore and discuss hot topics in a quiet, cool environment—always accompanied by a good glass of wine served at the perfect “Balmetto temperature”.

There is no occasion or event of any importance that does not include a visit to the Balmetti.

During the Carnival celebration, members of the three carnival associations of Borgofranco (Borgo, Cascine, and Olmetto), lead a parade to the Balmetti accompanied by brass bands and drummers for the joy and delight of young and old alike.

For over forty years the Pro Loco (tourist office) of Borgofranco d'Ivrea has been organizing a traditional Balmetti festival—"Andoma ai Balmit" (Let’s go to the Balmetti)—that always takes place on the third Sunday of June. During the festival, the Balmetti are open to the public, and many typical products and local specialties are available for tasting.

Events at the Balmetti

Where the mountain breathes,
the people have fun

Balmeet Art
Christmas Edition

Balmeet Art Christmas Edition
Balmeet Art Christmas Edition
Balmeet Art Christmas Edition
event information:
  • 24 November 2024
  • from 14:00 to 18:00
  • Via del Buonumore, 145
    Borgofranco d'Ivrea
  • Free entrance

The conservation
and transformation
of food products

Typical products: past and present

The Balmetti have always been used for the conservation and processing of food products—originally by families and subsequently by companies operating in various sectors.

Not only wine but also beer, which was produced by the De Giacomi Brothers starting in 1862 in a brewery that is still visible today at the Balmetti. Cheeses were aged by the Egidio Torreano and Sons Company from 1929 in a Balmetto-aging cell that was revolutionary for its time. And of course, the canestrelli (wafers) of Borgofranco d’Ivrea, a typical dessert that has a very strong bond with the Balmetti families—each Borgofranco d’Ivrea family boasts a personal recipe.

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comitato "amis dij balmit" • via salice, 2a
10013 borgofranco d'ivrea (to)
p. iva: 11887350012