Recognitions
Italian Touring Club Orange Flag
Altitude
214 a.s.l
Patron Saint
8 January, Holy Piety
Market Day
Sunday
Tourist Information
www.cannobio.net
THE VILLAGE: CHEST OF CULTURE, TRADITIONS AND NATURE
A very old village set in a marvellous lake and mountain landscape, a corner of Lake Maggiore waiting to be discovered and visited.
The location is defined as a "transition” area within the Ticino and Lake Maggiore Protected Areas included in the MAB (Man and the Biosphere), an intergovernmental scientific programme launched by UNESCO. It is also located behind the Val Grande National Park.
Strolling through the old town centre, one encounters numerous architectural testimonies: from the 14th-century nucleus of the bell tower and the restored Palazzo della Ragione (1291) - a tourist promotion centre and venue for exhibitions and displays - to "Casa Pironi", an elegant medieval building. Testimony of a deep religious tradition are the Collegiate Church of S. Vittore, an austere church from the mid 18th century, the Church of S. Marta and the Sanctuary of the Santissima Pietà, built where the miracle of the "Sacra Costa" took place. Every year, on 7 and 8 January, the anniversary of the miracle is celebrated with a procession through the streets of the village. The balconies and windows of the houses are decorated with thousands of candles, called "lumineri", and at the end of the procession the traditional "luganighe" can be tasted in all the restaurants. In Traffiume we find the Church of Purification of the Virgin Mary and the Oratory of S. Anna. Walking up towards S. Agata, a few hundred metres from Cinzago, you reach the church of S. Bartolomeo in Montibus (13th century).
Nearby, heading south out of the historic centre, is the charming medieval village of Carmine Superiore with its Romanesque church of S. Gottardo dating from 1332, overlooking Lake Maggiore from whose waters the Rocca Vitaliana, known as "I Castelli di Cannero", emerges. Heading north we find the ancient hamlets of Ronco, Cinzago, Socragno, S. Agata and S. Bartolomeo with their splendid "Belvederes" overlooking the lake. Towards the Cannobina Valley, at Traffiume, there is the suggestive Orrido di S. Anna, an ideal place for diving, and then, penetrating into nature, you reach the hamlets of Socraggio, Cavaglio, Gurrone, Lunecco, Spoccia, Falmenta, Crealla, Orasso, Gurro and Cursolo.
Cannobio is the main village at the beginning of the Cannobina Valley: rich in culture and traditions, nature is the absolute protagonist of the place! With 250 km of trails, it offers many possibilities for hiking and mountain biking. "La Borromea" an ancient, ring path crosses the valley and touches all the municipalities. Easily accessible for walkers in some sections. There are many sports and leisure activities that can be practised in the territory of the Municipality of Cannobio: at the Lido there is a free and equipped beach, a water park, a mini playground, a football pitch, tennis courts, mini-golf, skate park, pump truck track, parkour, beach volleyball and beach soccer. Sailing, surfing and kitesurfing are also available. There is a football and five-a-side football field, a volleyball and basketball court, a bocce court, a playground and a roller skating area in the "Parco Cartiera". In the centre of Cannobio there is a beach at the "Darsene", and the hamlet of Traffiume offers a soccer field, beaches along the stream and the possibility of diving at the Orrido di S. Anna).
Not to be missed are the "Procession of the Holy Miracle" in January with the lumineri, the luganighe dinner and the "Marcia dei Lanternitt". In February, the colourful and popular Carnevale Ambrosiano takes place.
Typical food and wine
On Lakes Maggiore and Orta, the protagonist is freshwater fish. Trout, baked in foil and flavoured with sage and rosemary leaves, perch and whitefish, usually fried or presented "in carpione", pike, char, gardon and arborella. In addition, different varieties of honey from Lake Maggiore and its valleys are produced. The honey from the associations "Agripiemonte Miele", "Aspromiele" and "Consorzio Tutela e Garanzia Mieli del VCO" is also produced in different varieties.
Hospitality
www.distrettolaghi.it/ospitalita
Trekking Routes
Recommended slow treks: “Lake Maggiore: Via delle Genti from Cannobio to Cannero Riviera” e “Lake Maggiore: Cannobio - Monte Giove”
Bike Routes
Recommended bike routes: “Cannobio and the Orrido di Sant'Anna”
Accessibility
Accessible for people with reduced mobility. For persons using a manual wheelchair, the presence of an accompanying person is recommended.
Recommended "For all" route: Cannobio
Handicrafts
The production of flowers typical of Lake Maggiore, with particular reference to the Alto Vergante hills above Arona, concerns the excellent cultivation of azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias. It is characterised by the high quality standard of its flower production and represents the conscious evolution of a tradition from a spontaneous vocation to a highly specialised activity, making the western part of the lake a true flower-growing district.
Archivio Fotografico Distretto Turistico dei Laghi
Foto di Marco Benedetto Cerini
