Donato
Comune
Comune di Donato
Location of Donato
Donato Location of Donato in Italy Show map of Italy Donato Donato (Piedmont) Show map of Piedmont
Coordinates: 45°32′N 7°52′E / 45.533°N 7.867°E / 45.533; 7.867
Country	Italy
Region	Piedmont
Province	Biella (BI)
Government
• Mayor	Desirèe Duoccio
Area [1]
• Total	12.07 km2 (4.66 sq mi)
Elevation	711 m (2,333 ft)
Population  (31 December 2021)[2]
• Total	709
• Density	59/km2 (150/sq mi)
Demonym	Donatesi
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	13050
Dialing code	015
Website	Official website

Donato is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Biella in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 50 kilometres (31 mi) north of Turin and about 15 kilometres (9 mi) west of Biella.

Donato borders the following municipalities: Andrate, Chiaverano, Graglia, Mongrando, Netro, Sala Biellese, Settimo Vittone.

History

The name, of Roman origin, testifies to the antiquity of the settlement, in a strategic position for communications between Biella, the Canavese and the Aosta Valley. Around 1150 the bishop of Vercelli, Uguccione, bought this place for his church, along with the lands of Zumaglia, Netro and Verrua. Subsequently, Donato passed to Avogadro of Cerrione, who came into conflict with the church of Vercelli, in 1434 lost this estate, which was sold by a judgment of the Count of Savoy to the bishop of Vercelli, together with the castles of Cerrione, Mongiovetto, Ponderano, Quaregna, Valdengo, Villa and Zubiena.

In 1706 the town was almost completely destroyed by French troops.