Holiday apartment in Malgesso: sundials, forests and local history

An ancient trade route through Malgesso

An ancient road of historical and cultural significance connected the lower Novarese region with the Alpine passes. Its route led through Sesto Calende, Mercallo, Comabbio, Ternate, Travedona, Malgesso, Besozzo and Gemonio, through the Valganna to Ponte Tresa and onward to Switzerland. In the 16th century, this road was known as the “strada mercantesca”; intensive trade took place along it. Malgesso is therefore part of a historical context that extends far beyond the individual town.

Forests south and north of the town

South of Malgesso, on the border with Bregano, lies a sparsely populated natural area with dense deciduous forests. It is partly bordered by the Roggia Acquanegra, the only outflow of Lago di Comabbio. The ancient Mulino Franzetti is also located in the forests of Malgesso.

Churches and religious history

The parish of Saints Michael and Luigi in Malgesso was established on June 18, 1873. The parish church was home to a Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament, founded in 1874. The Church of San Michele Arcangelo was founded in the 13th century as a small oratory. For visitors interested in culture, this creates a historical arc from medieval beginnings to the ecclesiastical institutions of the 19th century.

Sundials as a distinctive feature of the town

Malgesso has a gnomonic complex that forms part of a larger network of municipalities with technically and artistically sophisticated sundials. The three sundials in Malgesso show local true solar noon, conventional mean noon and the true solar hours. Anyone interested in the connection between technology, design and local history will find a clearly defined theme here for exploring the town.

The Gall Trail and historic washhouses

The Gall Trail begins in the northern forests of Malgesso. Along the Gall Trail, you will come across Malgesso’s recently restored historic washhouse. The Fontana del Gal washhouse is located on Strada Provinciale No. 35.

Local customs and culinary memories

Malgesso’s traditional patronal festival is dedicated to Saint Michael and takes place on the last Sunday in September. In Malgesso, special fritters were prepared on Saint Joseph’s Day. Such calendar-based references complement the history of the churches and the town with a local festival tradition. When choosing your holiday apartment, you can therefore consider whether historic sites, forest themes, sundials or Malgesso’s cultural side should be the main focus of your trip.

Further places for planning your trip

If you would like to discover further places in addition to Malgesso, you can find them here: Maccagno, Mercallo, Casale Litta, Induno Olona, Bregano, Dumenza, Cadrezzate, Azzate.

For the overarching travel overview: Varese.