Luoghi, attività e idee per vivere la Valsesia.
In the emerald basin
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The sunny environment of Fobello and the gentle profile of the village make the panorama truly pleasant: it is indeed spread over an open and green basin in contrast to the previous route, characterized by high cliffs; thus the popular name for this Valsesian corner, “Emerald Basin" is justified.
Also, the name that one might think derives from the presence of “Bei fò” (in dialect fò stands for beech trees) is probably legendary while it seems more appropriate to define the place as “fondo bello” as it has undoubtedly been a favorite location of the valley bottom, also for the pastoralism of the past.
The charm of Fobello is characterized by its refinement
The charm of Fobello is characterized by its refinement and the beautiful tone scattered in every corner of the center and the fractions, with stately residential villas and precious architectural testimonies.
There are many things to see: the ancient Church of San Giacomo, rebuilt after numerous flood devastations in various eras with many valuable works from the 1500s/600s by Valsesian artists, a splendid choir, painted stained glass in the sacristy, and a 16th-century polyptych by Gian Giacomo Testa featuring the Mysteries of the Rosary; the Via Crucis, consisting of small chapels scattered on the gentle slopes surrounding the center, following which a complete tour of the town is made, with suggestive angles and visual surprises.
Also noteworthy is the Town Hall, with busts of benefactors of the town, overlooking the impressive Villa Lancia, the house-museum of Vincenzo Lancia, the Fobellese founder of the legendary car company, the Permanent Museum of Puncetto, showcasing this precious embroidery that originated in the valley and particularly in Fobello; and the Carestia-Tirozzo Museum with collections of great historical value. Even the cemetery near the church is worth a careful glance: it was designed by Antonelli and has always been considered the most collected in the valley.
It is impossible to exhaust the description of the town without mentioning the frazional arch, composed of as many as twenty-three inhabited areas.
In several fractions, there are significant architectural presences, with multi-story buildings, adhering to precise architectural principles that generations of bricklayers and master builders have created with multi-family concepts that seem to challenge mountain decentralization and isolation. In addition to these important buildings, which are found only in this valley, there are also extraordinary and stately residences.
From many of these fractions, one ascends towards the peaks that crown the Fobello basin, with absolute guarantees of panoramic beauty and hiking satisfaction.
360-degree views in the beautiful Val Mastellone
1h 15min
Hike to the lake and pass of Baranca, discovering the remains of the Lancia family villa
2h
From Cervatto to Fobello (Piana di S. Maria)
1h 30min



