Premia: Thermal Waters, Uriezzo and Walser History

Thermal Waters and Geological Formations

The spring water in Premia emerges at 44°C and is classified as hyperthermal calcium sulfate water. For you, this clearly identifiable natural feature may be a first point of reference when choosing a destination, especially if thermal waters are among your interests. At the same time, Premia offers different ways to experience a trip through its geological formations, historic sites and mineralogical collection, allowing everyone to focus on different aspects.

At Orrido di Uriezzo Sud, large, almost circular cavities are connected by narrow passages. The two formations of Orrido di Uriezzo are approximately 300 metres long in total. For nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts, the distinctive character lies in the sequence of spacious cavities and narrow connections.

Le Marmitte dei Giganti complement this geological landscape with hemispherical or cylindrical cavities. They were carved into the rock by the force of meltwater from a glacier. Premia therefore highlights different forms of the landscape: at the Orrido, connected cavities and narrow passages shape the experience, while at the Marmitte, the impact of glacial water on the rock is the defining feature.

Practical Guidance for Your Exploration

South of the church square, a small passage leads to an old mule track that reaches Verampio after about 15 minutes. From the hamlet of Uriezzo, access on foot is via an unpaved road. There is a car park in the immediate vicinity of the hamlet of Cristo. These three details will help you take different starting points and the condition of individual access routes into account when planning your day.

Walser History and Minerals

Salecchio is an old Walser colony founded in the 13th century by German settlers who had immigrated from Valais. The village thus adds a historical dimension to a trip to Premia that extends beyond the landscape. If you are interested in settlement history and regional culture, this Walser history is one of the distinct themes you can consider when making your choice.

The Don Giovanni Bonomo Mineralogical Museum opened on 3 August 2002. Its collection comprises 3,333 minerals classified by name and place of origin; almost all were extracted in Valle Antigorio and Formazza. Particularly valuable specimens include cervandonite, gasparite, fetiasite, asbecaite, cafarsite, chernovite and agardite. For your visit, the museum therefore combines a clearly defined collection with a regional connection through the sites where the specimens were found.

The Torre di Cristo also tells of the strategic importance of the area. It was built from local stone at the behest of the Duchy of Milan to warn of the threat posed by enemies. Its strategic location made it possible to observe the traffic passing through the hamlet of Uriezzo. In Premia, therefore, nature observation, geological features and history are not interchangeable buzzwords placed side by side, but different reasons to get to know the area more closely.

More Destinations for Planning Your Trip to Italy

If you would like to discover more places in addition to Premia, here is a concise selection: Cannero Riviera, Vignone, Piedilago, Artò, Bognanco, Premosello-Chiovenda, Fondotoce and Malesco.

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