The Tower of Piedimulera

Situated along the course of the River Toce and the Anza torrent, at the entrance to the Anzasca Valley, Piedimulera used to be, in the history of the Ossola Valley and particularly in the 17th century, one of the most important junctions on the great trading route in grain, wine and other goods that connected the valley floor with Macuganga and the Valais area of Switzerland.

Because of the need to protect commercial traffic, villages and hamlets like Mezzamulera and Cimanulera became the sites of defensive, military constructions.

The most important of these is the Ferrerio Tower, a fortified watch-tower built in 1594 and which today is located in Piedimulera. Passing under the arch of this tower is the old road up the valley, today only possible on foot, which links Piedimulera with its hamlets.