Viganella: Between Ironworking Culture and Hiking Trails

Viganella reveals its character in the layout of its historic center: it is situated on a rocky outcrop between two small streams. The rural architecture reflects the historic community of miners and charcoal burners. The history of ironworking can also be traced back to July 21, 1217. On that date, a smelting furnace in Vai Magliasca, in the municipality of Viganella, was leased. Casa Vanni – Casa con colonnato (Ca' dul van) – is a historic house with a significant 17th-century colonnade and was the residence of a respected family of notaries.

Churches, Museums and Local History

The first church in Viganella was built in 1614, and its restoration was completed in 1657. The Church of the Nativity of Mary contains six paintings depicting the Mysteries of the Virgin Mary, painted by Giuseppe Mattia Borgnis in 1747. Casa Vanni also houses a wine museum. The old tower of the Casaforte of Viganella contains an iron museum and an information center for the Viganella area. In just a few different cultural sites, you can therefore encounter religious art, the history of winegrowing and the town’s connection to ironworking.

Festivals Throughout the Year

Several events make local tradition visible on the calendar. The annual Candelora takes place on February 2 and includes the Pescia, a fir tree decorated with typical handicraft and gastronomic products. The feast of the patron saint Santa Maria is celebrated on September 8. During the annual blessing of the alpine pastures, the celebration ends at the chapel of Alpe Cavallo, either on July 10 or on the following Sunday. The Specchio di Viganella is a special architectural and technical feature: its reflected beam of light is directed onto the pedestrian area of the main square and the portico of the parish church.

Routes from the Town into the Mountain Landscape

Viganella is also the starting point for various described trails. The Viganella – Rifugio Alpe della Colma route begins in Viganella and uses trails C00, C09 and SI. It runs entirely within the Alta Valle Antrona Nature Park. The starting point of the route in Viganella is connected by the Domodossola–Antronapiana bus line. When choosing your hotel, you can therefore consider whether you want your days to focus mainly on the historic center and its cultural sites or on the described hiking trails.

Hiking with Historical Connections

The “Le frazioni di Viganella lungo la Via del Ferro” route leads from the Viganella district through its historic center to Casa Vanni and then along a short section of the Strada Antronesca toward Seppiana. The IC26 hiking trail, Sentiero dei Partigiani “Ugo Miazza,” is named after a partisan from Viganella. “Tra i Ciottoli della Fede” is a circular hiking trail that starts and ends in the church square of Viganella. The route can be completed in about three hours of walking, not including the time spent visiting the places of worship. It is also suitable for hikers without special training. This allows local history, religious sites and physical activity to be combined in a manageable hiking itinerary when planning your day.

More Destinations for Your Trip to Italy

Omegna, Masera, Nonio, Cicogna, Pontegrande, Cesara, Brovello-Carpugnino and Vogogna

To the overarching travel overview: Verbano-Cusio-Ossola.