Gravellona Toce

Gravellona Toce offers a range of options for your stay: archaeological remains from Pedemonte, historic buildings and routes with distinctive landscapes. When planning your trip, you can distinguish between historical periods, specific phases of construction and route itineraries. This allows you to focus on what interests you most.

Archaeological Remains and Building History

The exhibition “Memorie dal passato: l'abitato e la necropoli di Pedemonte” at the Antiquarium focuses on the excavations carried out by Felice Pattaroni in Pedemonte in the 1950s. The remains of an ancient settlement and a necropolis were uncovered. The settlement is dated to the period from the 1st century BC to the 5th century AD, and the necropolis to the period from the 5th century BC to the 4th century AD. The periods overlap, but do not coincide: the necropolis dates back further, while the settlement continued to exist until the 5th century AD. This makes it possible to distinguish the dates of the two archaeological sites.

The Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Pietro was built in the 12th century. The later dates refer to individual structural elements: the bell tower dates from 1856 and stands on blocks of pink granite; the façade dates from 1862 and is in the Neo-Renaissance style. The tower is therefore six years older than the façade, although both dates are considerably later than the construction of the church. This distinction gives a more precise picture of the building’s history than a single date for the entire structure. The upper part of Gravellona Toce is considered a historic village (“borgo antico”).

The Castello del Motto is a ruined fortified complex on a rocky outcrop on the right-hand, orographic bank of the Strona stream, at 325 metres above sea level. Its fortified character, its state as a ruin and its location by the stream are the main features here. This differs from the historical context of the church’s dated structural elements: at the Castello, the complex and its topographic position are defining, while at San Pietro, the construction period and the later-dated elements are key.

Routes by Itinerary and Landscape

Route VN1 runs from Gravellona Toce to Mottarone and offers particularly scenic views along the ridge to Alpe Colma. The Via per Pella features different landscapes: it follows the western shore of Lake Orta and offers lovely views of the lake, the island of San Giulio, Orta and the entire eastern shore. These features distinguish the two routes: the ridge and Mottarone are central to VN1, while the Via per Pella is defined by its lakeside setting and views across the lake.

Gravellona Toce is also the final stage of the Via Francisca. The Ciclabile del Toce starts in Gravellona Toce, leads to the banks of the Toce River and crosses the Strona stream over a small metal bridge. These two routes are also clearly distinct: the Via Francisca makes Gravellona Toce its final stage, while the Ciclabile begins in the town and runs to the riverbanks and the bridge. Ridges, lake views, the role of the final stage and riverbanks provide different features to help you tell the routes apart.

Visiting the Antiquarium

Visits to the Antiquarium are free and possible by appointment only. Arrange your visit before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Antrona Schieranco, Cicogna, Someraro, Cossogno, Trasquera, Alpe Devero, Formazza, Nonio

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