Soriso: History, Churches and Trails

Soriso combines historic sites with trails for walking and cycling, as well as a specific event date. This gives you different options to focus on when planning your trip: the history of the parish church, the historic boundary marked by a stone, a route, or the event on Piazza Umberto. If you are looking for a hotel, first consider which of these points will shape your trip.

Historical and religious heritage

The present-day parish church, Parrocchiale di San Giacomo, was built on the ruins of an old castle on the hilltop. At this site, the present-day church is linked to the history of a former castle. If you are interested in Soriso’s architectural history, this connection offers a specific point of reference: the church was built on the castle ruins.

A boundary stone dating from 1219 is still preserved in Soriso. It marked the boundary between Soriso Superiore and Soriso Inferiore. While the parish church points to an earlier castle at a specific location, the stone marks a historic boundary. These two details therefore highlight different aspects of the town’s history.

The inhabitants of Soriso continue to hold the Beata Vergine della Gelata in special reverence. Alongside the historic traces left by buildings and boundaries, this reflects an enduring local religious devotion.

Cycling and walking trails and the landscape

By bicycle, the La Via dell'Oro route passes along Via Casale Roncallo into the municipality of Soriso and by the Oratorio Madonna delle Grazie. On foot, a hiking trail leads from the Torrente Grua, near the Cascina of the “Ricostruttori nella Preghiera,” through Soriso to the church of Madonna della Gelata. The routes therefore differ in their mode of travel and their named points of reference. Before setting out, check the conditions and access for the cycling route. For the hiking trail, check the trail conditions and access to the church before you leave.

Some sections of the route have trail markers from Parco del Fenera. These sections are of great interest for their fauna and flora. When considering the route, you can therefore take into account not only its course but also the natural features of these marked sections.

The Oratorio di Santa Maria della Gelata lies outside the built-up area, on a wooded, rocky rise. Its location and surrounding landscape add a distinct connection with nature to the themes of local history and religious sites.

Plan your event visit and journey

On October 11, 2026, the event “Le Mele antiche e tanto altro” will take place in Piazza Umberto in Soriso. It focuses on agriculture, particularly apples, as well as crafts and hobbies. If you are planning your trip around the date, confirm the date and schedule again before you travel.

Stazione FS di Gozzano railway station is 3.5 km from Soriso. If you are including rail travel in your journey, check current train connections, as rail service details can change. Use the distance as a guide to the station’s location and compare it with the timetable for your travel date.

Discover more destinations: Vicolungo, Sizzano, Divignano, Suno, Marano Ticino, Vaprio D'agogna, Bogogno, Recetto.

For the broader travel overview: Novara.