Free entry
Our next public open days will be 1 & 2 June 2025 from 10:00 - 17:00.
Our free-to-visit sanctuary is located in the beautiful landscape of the Biellesi Prealps. Explore everything the sanctuary has to offer with a hike in our parklands, where you can meet our resident herd of donkeys and mules.
Our sanctuary is open to the public on selected dates throughout the year. Our 2025 open days will be:
- 1 & 2 June
- 5 & 6 July
- 2 & 3 August
- 6 & 7 September
- 4 & 5 October
- 8 & 9 November
- 13 & 14 December.
For internal reasons, it is not possible for us to welcome supporters outside of these dates. All of our open days are communicated on this page and our social media pages.
We welcome well-behaved dogs but would ask that you keep them on a lead at all times and clean up after them.
Facilities
What’s on
Find out about the exciting events we have on offer over the year.
Il Rifugio degli Asinelli will be opening its gates during the National Alpini Gathering held between 9-11 May in Biella for free guided tours daily.
Visiting our donkeys
Our resident donkeys are very curious and love attention from visitors. They really appreciate “rubs” on the forehead, neck and back but please do not touch them on the nose as they can bite.
Feeding the donkeys is prohibited. Visitors cannot feed the donkeys (not even grass). This measure is in place as many donkeys have a strictly controlled diet.
You are welcome to donate apples, carrots and fennel to our donkeys. We ask you to leave them at the InfoPoint or with staff, who will take care of cutting them and distributing them to the donkeys according to individual needs.
The surrounding area
We are located in the morainic hills of la Serra, a glacial formation which divides the territories of Biella and Ivrea. This formation dates back to the Quaternary Period and is the largest of its type in Europe - covering 25 km. Only a few kilometres from our sanctuary there are three nature reserves which offer still unspoiled landscapes:
- In Roman times Bessa was used as an open air gold mine, now its archaeological remains are unique
- Burcina is a beautiful garden full of native and exotic plants. It is well known for its stunning spring display of 150 varieties of Rhododendron
- The lush land around Baraggia is evocative of the African Savannah.
Getting here
How to find us
You can find us by car, train or bus using these directions.
Our sanctuary is open to the public on selected dates throughout the year from 10:00 - 17:00.
Contact us
Telephone: +39 015 255 1831
From the A4 (Turin-Milan) take the exit for Santhià. Follow signs for Biella until you reach the first traffic lights in Sandigliano. Turn left and follow the road to the second roundabout and go in the direction of Mongrando.
Follow signs for Mongrando at the next 3 roundabouts. At the crossroads turn left. Go through the village of Mongrando and follow the SP 338. Go through the village of Zubiena and go right at the fork heading towards Sala Biellese.
After about 1 km the Rifugio is on the left (about 30 km from the A4 exit).
Parking
Inside the sanctuary you will find a large square where you can vehicles. Please do not park along the road, this way you will avoid blocking traffic and getting fines.
We remind you that it is necessary to collect vehicles before closing time, to avoid your vehicle being locked inside until the next morning.
Take the train to Biella S. Paolo station. From there you can take a bus (see below) or a taxi (the distance is approximately 15km and rates can be quite expensive).
Only a few buses are available: please contact local transport service ATAP Biella.
Meet the herd
Agostino loves attention and is the first donkey to approach visitors.
Alin is a playful donkey who spends his time devising pranks for his friends.
Ardito is a gentle giant who enjoys spending time with his friends.
Clementina is a much-loved donkey with the nickname "Donkey Princess".
Marco the mule stands out with his elegant appearance and peppery character.
Accessibility
Most of the sanctuary is easily accessible for visitors in wheelchairs, with walking difficulties or visiting with strollers and prams.
Our toilet is equipped for disabilities. For visitors with babies and young children, there is also a changing table available.
Our sanctuary is completely surrounded by greenery and due to the location and nature of the sanctuary, there is a high presence of dust, hay and straw, grasses in meadows and wooded areas, pollen (especially in the spring period), fur, insects and parasites. If you suffer from allergies, please consult your doctor before the visit. In an emergency, our sanctuary staff are not authorized to administer any medicine.
More information section
More information
Our sanctuary is open to the public on selected dates throughout the year from 10:00 - 17:00.