The Cinque Vette Park is a natural park, established by the Region of Lombardy on 19 June 2017. The park is located in the north-eastern part of the Province of Varese, in the Italian region of Lombardy. It takes the name from the main geographic features located in the park, the five mountain peaks. The project was launched with the aim of the three local councils of (Cuasso al Monte, Marzio, and Valganna) to preserve a green area and make it available for touristic-sportive-cultural initiatives above 500 meters of altitude. The primary goal of the park is to encourage the discovery of the natural features of the north-eastern part of Varese, which offers panoramic view points and preserves historical aspects such as: the remains of the Cadorna Line; the ruins of the Castle of Cuasso al Monte; the Artistic village of Boarezzo; the Saint Gemolo Abbey; the Alpine Village of Mount Piambello; and, the Hospital of Cuasso Al Monte.
Location The Cinque Vette Park is situated within the domain of the Varese Prealps, the western section of the Lugano Prealps. It covers an area of 14 kilometers squared and it comprises the councils (comuni) of Cuasso al Monte, Marzio, and Valganna, all located within the Province of Varese. Approximately 85% of the park territory belongs to the council of Cuasso al Monte, 15% to the council of Valganna and 5% to the council of Marzio. The park features a variety of panoramic views and natural landscapes. The park is sponsored by Lega Italiana Protezione Uccelli. The surrounding area hosts important habitats and ecosystems, and for that reason it has become part of the Life TIB project, which includes the natural corridor that links the Alps and the Po Valley. The park includes Lake Ghirla, Lake Ganna, and the Laghetto di Cavagnano. The last is a protected site (as Lake Ganna) due to the rare and endangered autochthonous fauna that inhabits the water. Adjacent to the park are Lake Maggiore and Lake Lugano.
Geological aspects The territory of the park is classified as part of the Varesine Prealps, which are geologically significant and linked to the evolution of the Alpine Chain, which today appears as one complex structure with recognizable framed polyphasic tectonics deformations in the Plate tectonics model. The area of Mount Piambello is characterized by the presence of silicate rocks that originated about 290 million years ago from the multiple volcanic eruptions that took place in this area. In Valganna there are also deposits of travertine rock, locally called "Travertino della Valganna".
Climatic aspects The park is located in an area characterized by high rainfall values, with strong variability in rainfall from one year to the next. From an analysis of the "isoiete" trend (closed curves that indicate areas affected by the same amount of precipitation), carried out between the years 1921 and 1972, a regular increase of the tendency of regional rainfall starting from the southernmost to the northernmost areas has been observed. This is determined by the influence caused by the mountain ranges belonging to the Alpine arc, and by the influence brought by the Lake Maggiore, located a few kilometers West.
History
Several historic settlements have been identified in the park, some dated back to the prehistoric period. An old brewery, an example of the Liberty Architecture, is also located within the Cinque Vette Park. The area gained relevancy before and during the First World War, because a line of forts, bunkers and trenches, originally named the Great North Frontier, was built through the park area. The building of the North Frontier began in 1862. It aimed at protecting the Italian Kingdom and especially the cities of Milan, Turin, Brescia, and Genoa (the port of Genoa, along with these other cities, was the main focal point for the Italian commerce and economy) from possible Swiss, German and Austrian invasions. The name of the fortification derives from the army general Luigi Cadorna, who supported the need and followed its construction during World War I. The main purpose of the Great North Frontier was defending the Italian territories from the attack of the Austrians, who had been in conflict with the northern Italian populations before, as in the Battle of Magenta. It involved a labor force of 40 thousand workers and hundreds of millions of old Italian Lira. None of these forts and war facilities were actually involved in a battle until World War II. The steel and cement line, later regarded by the historians as the Italian Maginot Line, is now become a peaceful and family friendly trail of the Cinque Vette Park, indicated by its name: the "Sentiero di Pace", literally "Trail of Peace".
Both Protezione Civile di Cuasso al Monte and Comune di Marzio have worked to preserve the historical heritage linked to the park area: one by restoring the First World War forts of the Cadorna Line, the other by creating an information point to educate the public on all the forts built. The info point of the path "La linea Cadorna - Sentiero della Pace" is located in the council of Marzio.
Castle of Cuasso Al Monte (ruin) The castle dates back to the High middle age and was built in a strategic spot from which it was possible to control the entire area. It was also pivotal in the thirteenth-century conflict between Guelphs and Ghibellines. After the Duke of Milan obtained it, its traces were completely lost for many years. Its original structure and builders are not known. A few years ago, at the end of a small excavation campaign conducted by some local historians, it emerged that its layout is so unusual that only two similar buildings have been discovered: the now disappeared castle of Trecate and Warkworth Castle, in the northern English county of Northumberland. Before the outbreak of the First World War, General Luigi Cadorna decided to incorporate the ruin of the castle within the Cadorna Line.
Cross of Mount Poncione
On the Poncione peak stands a nine meter tall iron cross that was placed there on 4 April 1954. Don Enrico Borghi had it manufactured in 1914 with the intention to have it put on top of Mount Poncione, but the then owner of the mount denied it. Instead the big cross was placed by the Lourdes Cave and remained there until 1954, when the cave had to be restored and the cross had to be moved. In memory of Don Borghi the project was finally carried out, and in 1954 the cross was placed on top of Mount Poncione, after the new owner allowed its installation. Cement, iron, water and sand were transported up to the Alpe Tedesco with a minivan and then carried by hand to the top of the mount to build the base of the cross. Renovation operations were made in 1979 to commemorate the cross's 25th anniversary, and again in 2004 to mark the 50th anniversary. In 1979 the cross was covered in a particular variety of glass and in 2004 donkeys were used by the volunteers to carry the materials uphill.
The trade route of Mount Piambello The Mount Piambello, located in the park, is believed by historians to be located on a trade route that once linked the two important commercial centers of Milan and Switzerland, connecting the Varese Fair, the livestock Fair of Angera, and the marketplaces of Como, Sesto Calende and Luino. Archeological evidence for this includes extant portions of the old road stone pavement, and a study of the morphology and toponymy of the area.
The artistic village of Boarezzo Boarezzo, frazione of Valganna, is an artistic village located within the Cinque Vette Park. This small mountain village is surrounded by vegetation, extensive views and noted for its tranquility. Boarezzo had been a popular tourist destination since the early twentieth century, but had declined as visits decreased and farming activity was progressively abandoned. At the initiative of the painter Mario Alioli, an artistic concept was developed to stop the village's progressive decay by developing Boarezzo's artistic heritage. In the 1980s Aioli and the Pro Loco of Valganna began considering the idea of creating a "borgo dipinto" (in Italian literally "painted village"), in order to attract tourists and restore Boarezzo's lost vitality. Both Aioli and the Pro Loco gathered sixteen painters to represent that rural society using its own traditional crafts, that were slowly disappearing, displaying their paintings on the walls of the village houses. The artistic village was dedicated to two important sculptors: Giuseppe Grandi and Odoardo Tabacchi. Subsequently, an association was founded with the aim of fostering Aioli's initiative and preserve it over time. In 2008 the Association celebrated its twentieth anniversary with two new panels by Mario Alioli and Sergio Colombo which are now hanging in the ancient wash-house of the village.
Saint Gemolo Abbey The abbey, found in Valganna, was constructed in 1095 and consecrated in 1160. Saint Gemolo's Abbey is famous for being a place of worship in memory of the martyr Saint Gemolo. The structure of the abbey is based around the cloister, which has an unusual pentagonal shape, considered in Roman times the fortified heart of the abbey. The complex also includes a church, a bell tower, housing for its monks and a guest house. During the Middle Ages, due to its architecture and strategic position, it was considered to be a safe shelter for pilgrims. In 1511 the Swiss army penetrated the area, sacking and destroying the structure; immediately afterwards the monks rebuilt the abbey, adding two chapels on the side of the complex. Today the abbey is open for tourists and has two museums: The museum of Saint Gemolo's abbey and the museum of ceramics. In addition to the museums and historical complex, the abbey is also the location of artistic and cultural events. The abbey is the subject of studies by the Association and Province of Varese.
The alpine village of Mount Piambello The Alpine Village of Mount Piambello is located at 1000 meters above sea level and is the result of a pro bono initiative by the Italian Touring Club (TCI, at the time called "Consociazione Turistica Italiana") to help of orphans from the First World War. The creator was Luigi Vittorio Bertarelli. The costs and the land were given by donations of benefactors and members of the TCI. The latter fund-raised 1 million of old Italian liras to support the Italian army after the devastating defeat of at the Battle of Caporetto, which took place on 19 November 1917 near Caporetto, causing an enormous loss of lives. As a consequence, ₤70,000 in funds were used to create the small village to host the orphans during summer and winter holidays, for two months per year. The project plan was to create a village in a rural location, surrounded by vegetation and at an elevated height, so that the children could experience contact with nature. The children had the chance to enjoy outdoor activities, such as hiking in the several mountains in the park, and in winter to experience skiing and sledging. The village included a cafeteria, a small church, dorms and a hospital. The first fifty guests were from Milan, arriving on 14 July 1921, accompanied by a staff mostly made up of women who volunteered to look after them. In 1922, further donations provided the children with a garden, a cowshed, electricity, showers with running water, and a laundry service. Further works to extend the village took place in 1928, when the second aqueduct and a school were established. The children were not only offered recreational activities but also elementary school education. The Alpine Village of Mount Piambello remained active until the 1980s, hosting a total of 12,000 children. It is currently shut down, and not maintained by any custodians. Recently, the TCI has declared its intention to sell the village at a value of €1.5 million.
Cuasso al Monte Hospital