Valsesia

<< Piedmont

The mountainous northern part of the Province of Vercelli is occupied by Valsesia, a valley among the Alps crossed by the Sesia river. This area, famous for its gorgeous natural environment, houses various small mountain villages. The most popular destination in the valley is Varallo.

Varallo

Varallo is a town located in Valsesia, the valley crossed by the Sesia river in the northern portion of the Province of Vercelli. The town emerged during the Late Middle Ages as one of the main centers in the valley and it is now a popular tourist attraction thanks to its Sacro Monte and its position among a beautiful natural environment.

✪ Sacro Monte di Varallo

The Sacro Monte di Varallo is one of the Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy, a series of religious sites built among the mountains across the two regions. The complex was erected starting in the late 15th century on top of a rock formation dominating over Varallo. The site includes a Baroque basilica and numerous richly decorated chapels, all adorned with frescoes, statues, and artworks, mostly dating from the 16th century.

✪ Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie

The Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie is a Gothic church erected in Varallo during the 15th century. The main attraction of this church is the stunning series of frescoes painted by Renaissance artist Gaudenzio Ferrari, which cover an entire wall, depicting the life of Jesus Christ. A few other frescoes and artworks adorn other parts of the church.

Palazzo dei Musei

Palazzo dei Musei is a museum complex in Varallo, which hosts the Civic Art Gallery (Pinacoteca Civica) and the Calderini Museum. The Civic Art Gallery hosts paintings, sculptures, and other artworks by local artists, dating as far back as the Late Middle Ages. Meanwhile, the Calderini Museum houses collections on natural sciences, history, and archaeology.

Boccioleto

Boccioleto is a tiny mountain hamlet located in a lateral valley of Valsesia, in the Province of Vercelli. Its territory includes a few historic buildings erected among the surrounding mountains.

Oratory of San Lorenzo all’Alpe Seccio

The Oratory of San Lorenzo all’Alpe Seccio is a small religious building erected during the 15th century and located in an alpine pasture far up the mountains near Boccioleto. The site is only reachable by a long trail that runs among the forests and mountains. The oratory features a series of impressive and incredibly well-preserved ancient frescoes.

Alagna Valsesia

Alagna Valsesia is a small mountain town in the Province of Vercelli, located at the end of Valsesia. The village is a tourist attraction thanks to its position just below Monte Rosa, the second highest peak of the Alps. Because of this, Alagna Valsesia is also a ski resort.

Walser Museum of Alagna

The Walser Museum (Museo Walser) is a ethnographic museum located near Alagna Valsesia. The exhibition is dedicated to the Walser people, a German-speaking community that has inhabited the area and the surrounding valleys for centuries. The museum includes many objects that showcase the traditional life of the Walser people and it is hosted in a house built in 1628.