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Gignese
Located in a scenic position on the slopes of Mount Mottarone, Gignese is located precisely on the median point of the Strada delle Due Riviere connecting Stresa with Orta, thus separating the area of Lake Maggiore from the Cusio area – that is the area including Lake Orta. The municipality is part of the Mountain Municipalities of Cusio Mottarone.
Gignese: history
Legend has it that Gignese was founded by a Genovese runaway (a certain Genesio Dotti) in the 12th century. Its position on the slopes of Mount Mottarone, descending down towards Lake Maggiore, influenced its history, which is tightly connected with the vicissitudes of the Vergante area, and the Visconti and Borromeo families.
Visiting Gignese
The traditional business of umbrella maker is precisely rooted here, so much so that in 1939 Igino Ambrogini (1883-1955) founded the first nucleus of what is today’s Museo dell’Ombrello e del Parasole (Museum of the Umbrella and Parasol) an interesting and unique collection of umbrellas and parasols from the period between 1840-1940.
Igino Ambrogini also founded Giardino Alpinia in the hamlet of Alpino. This botanical garden dedicated to the flowers and grasses of the Alps located 807 metres asl is easy to reach using the cable car connecting Stresa with Mount Mottarone at 1491 metres. The panorama is marvellous both from this garden’s natural balcony and from the summit of Mount Mottarone, where the view spans from Lake Maggiore to Lake Orta, from the Lombardy plain to the semi-circular Alps.
Gignese’s other hamlets Vezzo and Nocco are also worth visiting: the Oratory of Madonna di Loreto in Nocco and the parish church in Vezzo in its marvellous position. Just above town in Gignese is the Parish Church of San Maurizio.
Golf Club Alpino di Stresa
Enthusiasts will discover a 9-hole golf course in Vezzo, at 700 metres asl: Golf Club Alpino di Stresa.
