Grignasco: Trails, Churches and Carnival at Monte Fenera

Grignasco between the Fenera landscape and local history

Grignasco combines trails through the landscape of Monte Fenera with a townscape in which churches, ruins and traditional festivals add distinctive accents. The Anello del Fenera circular route follows Trail No. 772 and has an elevation difference of approximately 600 m. After the hamlet of Bertasacco, the Anello del Fenera descends into the valley of the Torrente Magiaga.

Hiking along the Torrente Magiaga

The Itinerario Il Torrente Magiaga focuses on the sedimentation and erosion phenomena of the Torrente Magiaga. Along this itinerary, visitors can see the historic town centres of Grignasco and Ara and walk through reforested slopes that were formerly characterised by terraced fields, vineyards and orchards. In this way, the trail combines nature observation with a view of the former use of the slopes.

Grignasco is one of the municipalities located in the Parco Naturale Monte Fenera. The numerous caves of the Parco Naturale Monte Fenera are among the most important reasons for protecting the area. Since 1 May 2013, the Casa delle Grotte di Ara has been a visitor centre for the entire area of the Parco Naturale del Monte Fenera. The Grottos della Bondaccia and delle Arenarie in the Parco Naturale Monte Fenera can be visited with the prior approval of the park administration.

Churches and historic traces

The Chiesa Santa Maria delle Grazie is located in the medieval town centre of Grignasco; it served the community as a parish church for centuries. The church preserves two important fresco cycles. The older one is dated to around 1489 and attributed to the workshop of Tommaso Cagnola.

The Oratorio di San Graziano stands on a hill with expansive views of Grignasco and the surrounding towns. During its restoration, traces of a decoration dated to 1464 and bearing the signature “Bartolonus” were uncovered.

The medieval Ricetto of Grignasco can be explored on a walk along Via Castello and Via Torrione. A few ruins of the Castello di S. Genesio are still visible there.

The Chiesa di Santa Maria in Bovagliano is the old parish church of Grignasco and is associated with a papal bull from 1132. A signed fragment of a fresco from 1539 is still visible beneath the organ loft.

The Chiesa di Santa Maria in Bovagliano is located in the municipal cemetery and follows its opening hours. The Chiesa Parrocchiale di Santa Maria Assunta can be reached from Piazza Viotti via steps leading to the church square. At the beginning of Via Iannetti, there is also a ramp with a gentler incline, which is also suitable for people with motor disabilities.

The Palazzo “Durio” has a small courtyard with a loggia featuring stone arches and columns, as well as grotesque decorations scratched into the plaster. The building is privately owned and cannot be visited.

The Parco “Claudino Mora” can be accessed via Via Rosa Massara. The Cappella di S. Antonio (Cà Trimpella) is the only surviving evidence known today of the cult of the “Beata” in the Grignasco area.

Carnival and local traditions

The Carnival tradition of Grignasco dates back to the end of the 19th century. The characteristic Carnival masks of Grignasco include Giuan Bacéja and Mariana Curbèla.

At La gran trippa in piazza, traditional tripe is distributed in the main square of Grignasco and in the hamlets. The Giubiacia is Grignasco’s Carnival celebration on Giovedì grasso, or “Fat Thursday”.

More destinations: Soriso, Cameriano, Galliate, Cureggio, Marano Ticino, Pombia, Orta San Giulio, Veruno

To the overview of higher-level destinations: Novara.