Invorio Inferiore: Churches, Castle History and Routes in Alto Vergante

Invorio Inferiore brings together sacred architecture, traces of the Visconti castle and routes through the Alto Vergante landscape. Churches, traces of the Visconti castle, local customs and the broad landscape of Alto Vergante provide different focal points for your stay.

Sacred Sites and Traces of the Visconti

The Santuario della Madonna del Castello is particularly striking. It stands on a mountain overlooking Invorio Superiore and was built on the remains of a Visconti castle. As an oratory, it is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Girdle.

The Parrocchiale di San Giacomo was completed in 1689 and is dedicated to the patron saint San Giacomo. A star-shaped mosaic on the floor stands out in the presbytery. Access is permitted during services.

The Torre viscontea is also part of Invorio's history. It is the best-preserved part of a complex of buildings from the 12th and 13th centuries that made up the Visconti castle of Invorio. The Torre is privately owned and not open to the public.

In Invorio Superiore stands the Chiesa di San Rocco, a typical 17th-century building. This site is also associated with more recent memories of religious customs: until a few years ago, the morning Mass included the tradition of blessing animals. Once a year, a Mass was celebrated there on 16 August.

Places of Remembrance in Barquedo and Talonno

In Barquedo, the Madonna “Stella Matutina” is venerated in the Chiesa dei Santi Grato e Maurizio. Another historic landmark is the Colonna degli Appestati: a granite column topped with an iron cross. Its inscription states that, after the plague victims of 1630 and 1631 had been buried in a communal grave, the inhabitants of Invorio erected this monument in 1650. The column can be reached via Via Barro.

The Chiesa di San Germano stands in Talonno. The church was first mentioned in 1591; at that time, it was a small oratory beside an ancient tower. In 1750, it was enlarged using stones from the earlier structure. In Talonno, the Chiesa di San Germano stands on the crest of the hill above the town, in a sunny spot with views.

Santa Maria del Barro lies on the crest of an extensive plateau. A stone in the apse bears the year 1484. As part of the local Festa d'la flora tradition, people meet on 1 May on the plateau above Invorio for an outdoor breakfast.

Landscape, Routes and Practical Orientation

Alto Vergante refers to the upland area at the foot of Mottarone. It stretches between the municipality of Invorio and the hamlet of Levo in Stresa.

On the signposts, the Dorsale del Vergante is marked with a “V”. The route connects Gignese with Invorio and descends to Invorio Inferiore, near the turnoff for the hamlet of Mornerona.

Another specific route description concerns the Falesia di Invorio Superiore. From the “Palestra di Roccia” signpost, a path leads to the base of the rock face in five minutes. The Falesia is equipped with closely spaced stainless-steel 10 mm expansion bolts and a carabiner for lowering, and was recommended for courses.

The Pannello panoramico di Via Marconi is freely accessible along the elevated walkway on Via Marconi.

Discover More Destinations

If you would like to extend your travel planning beyond Invorio Inferiore, here are more destinations: Cavaglio D'agogna, Case Sparse, Colazza, Orta San Giulio, Cameri, Agrate Conturbia, Casaleggio Novara and Recetto.

For the higher-level travel overview: Novara.