Cannobio
Heading north from Cannero Riviera, you reach Cannobio, the last Italian town before the Swiss border. Famous for its Sunday market and picturesque old quarter, Cannobio combines lively lakeside life with centuries of history. At the heart of the town stands the Sanctuary of the Pietà, linked to the famous Festival of the Luminaries held every January, when thousands of candles illuminate streets, balconies and boats during a solemn procession through the old town.
Val Cannobina
From Cannobio begins the Val Cannobina, a wild and deeply atmospheric valley that historically connected Lake Maggiore with the Val Vigezzo. Crossed by the Cannobino stream, the valley reveals steep mountains, stone villages and dramatic natural scenery. One of its most remarkable sites is the Orrido di Sant’Anna, where ancient and modern bridges span deep gorges carved by rushing water beside the small church dedicated to Saint Anne.
Further into the valley, villages such as Cavaglio, Falmenta, Crealla and Gurro preserve traces of mountain traditions and local legends. Gurro itself is famous for the story of Scottish soldiers who are said to have settled there after the Battle of Pavia in 1525, a legend still deeply rooted in the village’s identity today.
