Gignese among churches, culture and landscapes

Gignese combines a rich ecclesiastical and cultural history with hiking and landscape destinations in the surrounding area. If you are looking for a place for your trip to Italy whose special features can be discovered through architecture, museums and excursions, you will find several different points of interest here.

Hiking and golf between Gignese and Vezzo

If you classify hikes according to their level of difficulty, the Itinerario Stresa - Gignese (VL3) provides clearly marked guidance: the route is classified as a difficulty E hiking route. The Golf Club Alpino Di Stresa offers a different facet. It is located on a natural terrace between Gignese and Vezzo; work on the course began in 1924. Thus, a designated hiking route and a historically established golf location cater to different interests.

Churches steeped in history and art

The Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Maurizio is situated above Gignese. It can be reached via a broad staircase made of pink Baveno granite, built in the 1960s. The present church was built between 1707 and 1725 on the remains of a predecessor building probably dating from the 15th century, with two naves. The bell tower and a side chapel are preserved from this older building.

The pronaos of the Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Maurizio, added in 1829, was decorated with frescoes by the painter Andrea Francinetti, who came from Gignese. Together with his son Giovanni, Andrea Francinetti created numerous other murals in the surrounding area. The Chiesa di San Rocco contains a small 18th-century organ made by the organ builder Brunelli and restored in the 1980s. The Chiesa Parrocchiale dei SS. Giovanni e Paolo was built around 1790 in the Corinthian style; the plot had been donated in 1781 by don Carlo Bartolomeo De Antonis from Vezzo.

The Museo dell’Ombrello e del Parasole

The Museo dell’Ombrello e del Parasole is a cultural highlight in its own right. It houses around 1,500 items, including handles, sticks, umbrellas and parasols, and illustrates the development of the fashions that influenced the style of these accessories from the 19th century to the present day. The museum was founded in 1939 and has been housed in its current building since 1976. Its shape is modeled on three umbrellas arranged side by side.

Other destinations in the surrounding area

The Chiesa della Madonna della Neve is located by the large erratic boulder Sasso Papale. It was completed in early summer 1928. The area around Gignese is also home to the Villa San Remigio palace, the Museo Internazionale Design Ceramico museum, the Palazzo Flaim palace and the Museo Meina museum. The Funivia del Sasso del Ferro cable car is another viewpoint in the vicinity of Gignese.

For travel planning with a variety of landscape impressions, the nearby summit of Monte Mazzarone and the beaches Spiaggia dei Caravalle and Spiaggia del Sasso Cavallazzo are also worth considering. The destinations thus range from ecclesiastical architectural history and regional museum culture to elevated viewpoints, a summit and beaches.

The following places are also available for your further travel planning: Vignone, Gurrone, Druogno, Trontano, Brovello-Carpugnino, Mozzio, Gurro, Pallanza.

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