Fondotoce between Nature Reserve and Remembrance Culture

Nature and Remembrance Culture in Fondotoce

Fondotoce combines a unique natural setting with places where the history of the Resistance remains present. The Casa della Resistenza stands in a 16,000-square-metre park next to the site where 43 partisans were shot by Nazi-fascist soldiers on 20 June 1944. In Fondotoce, you can therefore encounter both the landscape of the Toce area and an important chapter of local history.

Casa della Resistenza and Parco della Memoria

The Casa della Resistenza offers educational programmes on contemporary history and significant episodes from local history, particularly the history of the Resistance. Guided visits last approximately one and a half hours and require a prior reservation arranged in advance. You should therefore plan this visit as a separate item on your itinerary if you would like to explore the history of the place in greater depth.

The Parco della Memoria e della Pace comprises a monumental area dedicated to the Resistance. The commemorative events marking the 81st and 82nd anniversaries of the massacre of 20 June 1944 also anchor these events in public remembrance: on the 82nd anniversary, a commemorative event was held at the Casa della Resistenza in Fondotoce, while the procession arrived at the Parco della Memoria e della Pace in Verbania.

Reed Beds, the Toce and Paths along the Water

The Riserva Naturale del Fondo Toce encompasses the final stretch of the Toce River. Its most characteristic habitat is the reed bed. It provides suitable space for the reproduction of fish from the lake and for bird nesting sites. This connection makes the protected area particularly interesting if you want not only to observe the landscape but also to understand its different habitats.

By bicycle, the area can be explored via paths that follow the reed canal. This connects Lago Maggiore with Lago di Mergozzo. The cycle paths make it possible to reach beaches and observation points and to follow the Toce River upstream. In this way, the waterscape, reed areas and river course can be experienced as one continuous outing, without implying any particular circular route or riding time.

Hiking and a Visit to the Educational Farm

The A00e hiking trail begins in the village of Fondotoce, in the Canton Magistris district, opposite the entrance to the Riserva Naturale del Fondo Toce, and leads to Cavandone. This provides a specific starting point in the village for planning your day. You can also include the Fattoria del Toce: it is an educational farm with a park recognised by the Piedmont Region, which you can visit or where you can take part in workshops.

When choosing a hotel in Fondotoce, you can therefore weigh up different priorities: observing nature and following paths along the water, hiking to Cavandone or exploring the history of the Resistance. For travel orientation, the Casa della Resistenza is approximately one kilometre from Verbania Pallanza railway station on the international Milan–Domodossola railway line.

More Destinations for Your Travel Planning

Mergozzo, Masera, Verbania, Viganella, Cissano, Crevoladossola, Cresseglio, Santa Maria Maggiore

For the higher-level travel overview: Verbano-Cusio-Ossola.