Bosio: Nature, Hiking Trails and Remembrance Culture

Bosio represents a blend of protected landscapes, hiking trails and places where the history of the Piedmontese Apennines unfolds. Between the nature park, the Ecomuseo and the Benedicta memorial sites, you will find a variety of reasons to get to know the municipality and its hamlets.

Nature Park and Remarkable Biodiversity

Capanne di Marcarolo Nature Park was the first protected area established by the Piedmont Region in the Apennines. Within a relatively small area of around 8,200 hectares, both typical alpine plant species and species from Mediterranean environments can be found. The endemic species occurring there include Viola bertolonii, Cerastium utriense and Aquilegia ophiolithica. The nature park is also located along important bird migration routes and is an area where wolves are spreading in the Piedmontese Apennines.

Hiking Between Forests and Pastureland

Bosio has several hiking trails along old paths through nature rich in diverse animal and plant life. Signposts mark the beginning of the trails in Capanne di Marcarolo. An easy trail with scenic views initially follows a forest track along the northern slope of Costa Lavezzara through beech and oak forests. In the second section, between Cascina Alberghi and Lago Bruno, the path runs mainly through open pastureland. This allows you to experience the landscape along a route that combines different natural settings.

Capanne di Marcarolo and the Ecomuseo

Capanne di Marcarolo is a hamlet of the municipality of Bosio. The former primary school building now houses the park headquarters and visitor centre. The hamlet is also home to the Ecomuseo di Cascina Moglioni, a cultural and educational centre. There you can see traditional agricultural tools; a multimedia tour introduces visitors to the local landscape and region.

The programme of the Ecomuseo di Cascina Moglioni also includes theatre and educational workshops, photography exhibitions and film screenings about local agricultural activities. In addition to the landscape, the visit thus provides a cultural perspective and an insight into everyday history.

Benedicta: History and Remembrance

The Anello della pace begins at the ruins of Benedicta. The educational trail uses information panels to explain the history of the massacre as well as the themes of peace, resistance and remembrance. The ruins of the former Benedictine monastery, the site of the massacre, are undergoing restoration and reconstruction work that has led to the creation of the Sacrario dei Martiri della Benedicta. The Benedicta massacre is commemorated each year with an event.

Chapel and Mining History

The small Madonna di Caravaggio chapel is situated in a scenic location on Monte Tobbio at an altitude of 1,092 m. It preserves 19th-century frescoes by various painters. There were former gold mines in the Monte Ovile and Ferriere area; tunnels with gold-bearing quartz veins have been preserved.

When planning your trip, you can weigh up various focuses in Bosio: observing nature in the protected area, hiking along old paths, and exploring culture and remembrance around Capanne di Marcarolo and Benedicta. When choosing accommodation, this distinction can help you tailor your stay to your own interests and preferred travel pace.

More Destinations

Ponzone, Borgo San Martino, Villanova Monferrato, Bistagno, Spineto Scrivia, Capriata D'orba, Casale Monferrato, Poggio Maggiore

To the main travel overview: Alessandria.