The Ossola is a leaf-shaped complex of Alpine valleys in the northern tip of Piedmont bordering on Switzerland, wedged between the Swiss cantons of Ticino and Valais. Seven valleys make up the area (Vigezzo, Antigorio, Divedro, Formazza, Anzasca, Antrona, Bognanco) branching off the central river plain of the main Ossola Valley, which contains a number of ancient little towns and villages.

The geographical and administrative centre is Domodossola (pop. 20,000), the “capital” of the area, situated on the northern part of the plain. Twinned with the Swiss town of Brig on the other side of the Simplon Pass, it lies on the ancient route to the Pass and to the high Alpine passes of the Formazza Valley, and has all the characteristics of a frontier trading town.

Domodossola has since 2003 boasted a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sacro Monte Calvario, which is also a special nature reserve of Piedmont region, set on the Mattarella Hill above the town. The fifteen chapels in the Calvario complex fully reflect the local Ossola culture, and were built with the contribution of the best local artists of the 17th century, who introduced the Baroque style to the area.

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The Montecrestese Potato Festival is now "Sagra di Qualità"

The 2023 Bettelmatt season is ready

The run-down of the 2022 activities at the Val Grande National Park in view of its expansion

Santa Maria Maggiore Christmas Street Market: an extraordinary success

A memorable season for the Thermal Baths of Premia

Top Events

Santa Maria Maggiore School of Fine Arts classes restart

Santa Maria Maggiore, On 2 March 2024

"Peintres de famille" exhibition - Praise bourgeois image

Santa Maria Maggiore, From 9 July to 25 September 2016

Santa Maria Maggiore School of Fine Arts classes restart

Santa Maria Maggiore, On 2 March 2024

"Peintres de famille" exhibition - Praise bourgeois image

Santa Maria Maggiore, From 9 July to 25 September 2016

Conventions and Meetings

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The beautiful countryside around Lake Maggiore offers peerless convention facilities. With its natural and artistic beauties boasts a long tradition in the meeting and convention hosting sector with many excellent venues and services, and unrivalled hospitality facilities. Quality, hospitality and the varied and beautiful scenery make it one of the preferred destinations for visitors from all around the world.