Malgesso: Forests, History and Sundials

When looking for a hotel in Malgesso, it helps to consider the different sides of the town: historic transport routes, woodland areas, sundials and religious traditions. These themes span a period from a road described as a trade route as early as the 16th century to medieval church history and the parish history of the 19th century. The landscape also has different geographical reference points: a sparsely populated natural area lies to the south, while the Gall Trail begins in the northern woods. Before choosing where to stay, you can consider whether you are most interested in local history, nature or a combination of the two.

A historic route through Malgesso

An old road of historical and cultural significance connected the lower Novarese with the Alpine passes. It ran through Sesto Calende, Mercallo, Comabbio, Ternate, Travedona, Malgesso, Besozzo and Gemonio, through Valganna to Ponte Tresa and onwards to Switzerland. In the 16th century, it was called the “strada mercantesca”; this name attests to the heavy trade traffic along the road. Malgesso was thus part of a historic regional route that ran from the lower Novarese through several towns and Valganna to Switzerland. The road’s name and trade traffic give this aspect of local history a different focus from building and parish history: here, movement, connections and trade take centre stage.

Forests, natural area and Gall Trail

South of Malgesso, on the border with Bregano, lies a sparsely populated natural area with dense deciduous forests. It is partly bordered by the Roggia Acquanegra, the only outlet of Lake Comabbio. The Gall Trail begins in Malgesso’s northern woods. Along the trail, you will come across the town’s recently restored historic washhouse. The ancient Mulino Franzetti, located in the woods of Malgesso, is also part of the woodland landscape. The distinction is useful for orientation: the natural area lies in the south, while the Gall Trail begins in the northern woods.

Sundials and timekeeping

A municipal environmental report from 2014 describes a gnomonic complex in Malgesso that is part of a larger network of municipalities with technically and artistically high-quality sundials. According to the report, the three sundials show local apparent solar noon, conventional mean noon and apparent solar hours. Two displays refer to noon but differ in the type of time shown; the third indicates apparent solar hours.

Church history

The Church of San Michele Arcangelo was founded as a small oratory in the 13th century. The parish of Saints Michele and Luigi in Malgesso was established on 18 June 1873; a Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament, founded in 1874, was based at the parish church. These dates mark different events: the church’s origins as an oratory, the establishment of the parish and the founding of the confraternity. Malgesso’s religious history can thus be traced from the medieval oratory to two clearly dated developments in the 1870s.

Feast day and local tradition

Malgesso’s traditional patronal feast is dedicated to Saint Michael and takes place on the last Sunday in September. If you would like to plan your stay around this date, check the event programme in advance. Another local tradition is associated with Saint Joseph’s Day: special doughnuts were prepared in Malgesso on this day. The timing differs: the patronal feast is tied to a recurring date in September, while the doughnuts were part of a historic local custom.

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