Via del Mercato

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The so-called Market way (Via del Mercato) connects Locarno with Domodossola, through the Centovalli and the Val Vigezzo. [1] The way uses ancient path and mule tracks used in the past centuries by merchants transporting goods from Italy and Switzerland. In the early 20th century the Centovalli railway was built in order to develop the commerce and is nowadays a main tourist attraction.

Locarno Place in Ticino, Switzerland

Locarno is a southern Swiss town and municipality in the district Locarno, located on the northern shore of Lake Maggiore at its northeastern tip in the canton of Ticino at the southern foot of the Swiss Alps. It has a population of about 16,000 (proper), and about 56,000 for the agglomeration of the same name including Ascona besides other municipalities.

Domodossola Comune in Piedmont, Italy

Domodossola is a city and comune in the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, in the region of Piedmont, northern Italy. It was also known as Oscela, Oscella, Oscella dei Leponzi, Ossolo, Ossola Lepontiorum, and Domo d'Ossola.

Centovalli Place in Ticino, Switzerland

Centovalli is a valley and a municipality in the district of Locarno in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland. It is composed of 19 villages or hamlets "frazioni":

Contents

Today hikers can walk the 62 km path dividing it in four stages or they can also use the railways that run along the tracks.

This way is part of the itinerary CoEur - In the heart of European paths.

The history

The "Via del Mercato", from the Middle Ages to the 19th century, was the way travelled by merchants, woodsmen, stockmen and migrants passing because of work from the Ticino to the Ossola. This connection was used since ancient times because it is an easy way through the mountains, due to the periadriatic seam, the geologic fault along which are aligned the Val Vigezzo, Locarno, Bellinzona and the Valtellina.

Ossola valley

The Ossola[ˈɔssola] is an area of Italy situated to the north of Lago Maggiore. It lies within the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola. Its principal river is the Toce, and its most important town Domodossola.

Periadriatic Seam The border between the Adriatic and European plates

The Periadriatic Seam is a distinct geologic fault in Southern Europe, running S-shaped about 1000 km from the Tyrrhenian Sea through the whole Southern Alps as far as Hungary. It forms the division between the Adriatic plate and the European plate. The term Insubric line is sometimes used to address the whole Periadriatic Seam, but it is more commonly used to mean just a western part of it.

Bellinzona Place in Ticino, Switzerland

Bellinzona is a municipality, a historic Swiss town, and the capital of the canton of Ticino in Switzerland. The town is famous for its three castles that have been UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2000.

The importance of this marginal land is lately declined, but many proofs of arts and culture are still present in the Val Vigezzo.

The ancient road has been replaced by the present road, but it is still possible to find the old path thanks to the ways that connect villages and the ancient smuggling ways.

Main sights

Along the Via del Mercato there are many points of historical and anthropological interest.

Santuario della Madonna in Re

The Santuario della Madonna del Sangue in Re, built in neo-Byzantine style, pursuant to a miracle that happened in 1494, became a main religious point in the area.

Re, Piedmont Comune in Piedmont, Italy

Re is a village and comune in the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, in the region of Piedmont, Italy, approximately 20 kilometres (12 mi) from Domodossola and 7 kilometres (4 mi) from the border with Switzerland. It is situated on the Centovalli mountain railway route between Domodossola and Locarno and is home to a pilgrimage church.

The "Good-bye chapel" in Gagnone

The so-called "Good-bye chapel" was the place where the paysant said good-bye to their relatives who emigrate.

Sant'Abbondio in Masera

The church of Sant'Abbondio in Masera was the starting point of the old road of Vigezzo. The church has been abandoned for centuries, but it was recently restored and it is now possible admire the Romanesque architecture.

Masera Comune in Piedmont, Italy

Masera is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 130 kilometres (81 mi) northeast of Turin and about 30 kilometres (19 mi) northwest of Verbania. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 1,483 and an area of 20.1 square kilometres (7.8 sq mi).

Santa Maria Maggiore

Santa Maria Maggiore is the heart of the Val Vigezzo. The parish church, originally built before 1000, was rebuilt in the 18th century and decorated with frescos made by local painter Giuseppe Maria Borgnis.

Santa Maria Maggiore, Piedmont Comune in Piedmont, Italy

Santa Maria Maggiore is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 130 kilometres (81 mi) northeast of Turin and about 25 kilometres (16 mi) north of Verbania, on the border with Switzerland. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 1,236 and an area of 53.2 square kilometres (20.5 sq mi).

The "Rossetti Valentini" school of art

The Val Vigezzo is called the "valley of painters" and this tradition continues today thanks to the "Rossetti Valentini" school of art and its gallery.

The Chimney sweeper Museum

The Chimney sweeper Museum in Santa Maria Maggiore conserve pictures, objects and tools of a forgotten profession, that played and important role in the economy of the Val Vigezzo. [2]

The Val Vigezzo's "Piazza dei Miracoli"

The main square in Craveggia village is called the Val Vigezzo's "Piazza dei Miracoli" because it holds two important religious buildings: the parish church and the baptistery. In the church is kept the Treasure of the King of France. [3]

The Centovalli villages

Arrived in Switzerland you find the villages of Camedo, Borgnone, Lionza, Verdasio, Pila and Intragna, connected by roads and mule tracks. Intragna has the tallest bell tower (65 m) of all the Ticino. There is also the Museo etnografico regionale delle Centovalli e del Pedemonte, that collects the history of the area in the past centuries.

See also

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References

  1. "Via del Mercato". caivilladossola.it. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  2. "Chimney sweeper Museum". museospazzacamino.it. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  3. "Church of Santi Giacomo e Cristoforo". camminidevozionali.it. Retrieved 22 May 2015.