Discover Druogno: Nature, Art and Culture
Accommodation in Druogno
Druogno can be explored through a range of travel interests: the landscape around Alpe Campra, religious art and places of remembrance, and the cultural history of the Polo museale UniversiCĂ . If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in Druogno, you can start by deciding which interests will shape your trip. The route to the Alpe offers an experience of the landscape; the churches link their furnishings to local history, while the museum presents themes from Val Vigezzo. These differences can help you plan your stay around your own interests.
Alpe Campra: a route through woodland and pasture
The route from Orcesco to Alpe Campra follows a wide mule track through colourful beech forests. It ends in an alpine hollow with meadows, pastures and numerous huts. The transition from woodland to open pasture sets this route apart from Druogno’s artistic and cultural history. Blueberries are also part of the area’s character: the Alpe Campra area is known for them, and a special festival is held in August in their honour. Check the current annual programme before travelling if you would like to include the festival in your plans.
Church art and places of remembrance
The Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Silvestro is the only church in Ossola dedicated to Saint Sylvester. It preserves wall paintings by local artists and a painting by Gustavo Maes dating from 1685, acquired in Antwerp by emigrants from Val Vigezzo. The church thus brings together local painting and an artwork with a direct connection to the history of emigration.
In Gagnone, two further sites offer another perspective. The Oratorio di San Defendente has a multicoloured marble altar and a valuable historic organ. The Cappella dell’Addio is decorated with frescoes by Giovan Battista Ciolina. It marks the place where emigrants said goodbye to their families before leaving. While the furnishings are the main focus at the oratory, the chapel’s frescoes are linked to its special function as a place of remembrance.
Cultural history at the Polo museale UniversiCĂ
The Polo museale UniversiCà is located in the east wing of the Colonia Montana di Druogno. The “Museo vivo” explores the people, stories, crafts and traditions of Val Vigezzo. Reconstructed rooms, large-scale scenography, multimedia content and effects, large-format photographs and traditional objects shape the exhibits.
The “Geo d’Etica” exhibition takes a different thematic approach, focusing on geography and the craft of cartography. Lithographic stones and work tools are part of the exhibition, along with multimedia experiences. If you are choosing between the two, the “Museo vivo” offers a broader perspective on the people and traditions of Val Vigezzo, while “Geo d’Etica” focuses on cartography.
Seasonal activities and road safety education
The activities described at La Baitina vary by season. In winter, children and beginners can ski. Other activities include bob and sled runs, equipment hire, snowshoeing excursions, and individual and group ski lessons. In summer, La Baitina offers a tubing run in addition to a playground, slides and elastic nets. When planning your trip, the seasonal difference is key: the winter activities are not the same as the summer offerings.
The Parco Educazione Stradale has a different focus. It has classrooms and a practice track with roads, junctions, roundabouts and signs. Cars, bicycles and other vehicles are also available for use on the track. These road safety education facilities therefore complement the seasonal sports and play activities with a distinct theme.
An event date can also be useful when planning a trip: the Castagnata Coimese takes place on the second Sunday in October and includes barbecues, traditional singing and guided visits around Coimo. Check the dates and current programme before you travel.
Discover more destinations: Beura, Malesco, Crodo, Aurano, Villadossola, Gurrone, Belgirate, Vogogna.
For the wider travel overview: Verbano-Cusio-Ossola.
