General features:
A fundamental element of the itinerary is a visit to the Val Grande National Park Archaeological Museum of Soapstone. The museum's exhibition itinerary combines archeology, ethnography and geology through a particular reading of the archaeological finds that highlights the tools of daily work and the skill of the ancient local stonemasons. The geological section examines some geological peculiarities of Vigezzo Valley and allows you to understand the characteristics of the soapstone. The itinerary from Malesco to Re allows you to meet some points of particular geological and morphological interest.
The route:
From Via Stazione and Via Mellerio reach Piazza Sostine. From here, through Via Minazzoli and Via Trabucchi, go through the center of the town, which is beautifully preserved. Reach the square of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul and the small Oratory of San Bernardino, testimony of Baroque art. In the square there is also the "Basilisco" fountain in the center of which is placed a soapstone boulder from the Loana Valley (clearly visible signs of extraction) which represents the Berzelèsk, an imaginary creature. From Via Trabucchi and Via Teatro reach the "Archaeological Museum of Soapstone". Going back to the center of the village, take Via Roma to reach a rest area in a pine forest. A soapstone boulder emerges from the lawn, bearing carved cup-marks. A little higher, in the woods, there is the "fertility boulder": evident traces testify to its use as a slide in ancient rites related to female fertility. The cycle path crosses meadows and evocative woods up to the bridge over the Melezzo Orientale. At this point it is possible to observe the outcrop of layers of very thin material dating back to the Riss-Wurm interglacial period. The cycle path crosses the Melezzo again and reaches the medieval bridge of Maglione where it is possible to observe one of the most beautiful landscape places in the entire valley, characterized by wonderful erosive forms. Go up to State Road 337, up to the Sanctuary of Re. From here reach rapidly the Vigezzina Railway Station.
Notes:
Itinerary particularly suitable for educational visits: Environmental Education Center “CEA Orcesco” (www.cea-orcesco.it) and Val Grande National Park (www.parcovalgrande.it)
Area: Vigezzo Valley
Notable Items along the Track
Borgo di Malesco, Sanctuary of Re, Archaeological Museum of the Soapstone and the Ecomuseum "Ed Leuzerie and of Scherpelit", Medieval Bridge of Maglione at Re. For information and specialized educational visits for schools contact: • “C'ÈA Orcesco” Environmental Education Center (www.cea-orcesco.it) Information • Municipality of Malesco (www.comune.malesco.vb .it section Guida Turistica, Ecomusei) NB - on this web page of the Municipality of Malesco the Audio-Video guides of the Ecomuseum are freely available and downloadable • Val Grande National Park (www.parcovalgrande.it, Museums and Visitor Centers section) Reservations Museum Tel. +39 0324 92444 Municipality of Malesco Tel. +39 0324 92261 • Municipality of Re: www.comune.re.vb.it • Sanctuary of Re: www.santuariomadonnadire.com
POUT_ACCESSO_LABEL
By train: Domodossola station, Ferrovie dello Stato. Timetable: http://www.trenitalia.com/; www.rail.ch. Malesco railway station, Vigezzina railway. Timetable: http://www.vigezzina.com By car: A26 highway towards Gravellona Toce; from here SS 33 del Sempione, exit Masera and Valle Vigezzo; follow the SS 337 of the Vigezzo Valley to Malesco.