Premia Between Spring Water, Natural Formations and History
Accommodation in Premia
Premia offers different ways to explore nature, local history and distinctive geological features. When choosing accommodation, your interests may be the deciding factor: the Orrido di Uriezzo and the Marmitte dei Giganti reveal striking formations in the rock, while Salecchio, the Torre di Cristo and the Mineralogical Museum provide historical and scientific points of interest. In addition, Premia is home to 44°C spring water.
Natural Formations Around Uriezzo
The Orrido di Uriezzo Sud consists of large, almost circular cavities connected by narrow passages. Together, the two formations of the Orrido di Uriezzo are approximately 300 metres long. The focus is therefore not just on a single rocky cavern, but on a coherent natural feature made up of cavities and narrow connections.
The Marmitte dei Giganti also reveal the effects of water and ice on the rock. They consist of hemispherical or cylindrical cavities carved into the rock by the force of a glacier's meltwater. Those who give greater weight to geological formations and landscape observation than to a single excursion destination will find two clearly distinct themes in Premia.
Walser History and Minerals
Salecchio is an old Walser colony founded in the 13th century by German settlers who immigrated from Valais. The village therefore represents a settlement history that can be traced back over many centuries and adds a cultural and historical perspective to Premia.
The Museo Mineralogico Don Giovanni Bonomo opened on 3 August 2002. The collection comprises 3,333 minerals classified by name and place of discovery. Almost all of them were obtained in Valle Antigorio and Formazza. Particularly valuable specimens include cervandonite, gasparite, fetiasite, asbecasite, cafarsite, chernovite and agardite.
The museum therefore has a different focus from the rock formations of Uriezzo: here, the focus is on minerals, their places of discovery and selected particularly valuable specimens.
Spring Water and Torre di Cristo
Premia's spring water emerges at 44°C and is classified as hyperthermal calcium sulfate water.
The Torre di Cristo was built from local stone at the behest of the Duchy of Milan to warn of the danger posed by enemies. Its strategic location made it possible to observe traffic passing through the Uriezzo district. The tower thus combines architectural history with its former function as an observation and warning post.
Paths and Orientation on Site
South of the church square, a small passage leads to an old mule track that reaches Verampio after approximately 15 minutes. From the Uriezzo district, access is on foot via an unpaved road. There is a car park in the immediate vicinity in the Cristo district.
When choosing accommodation in Premia, you can therefore decide in advance which theme will shape your trip. Nature enthusiasts can focus on the Orrido di Uriezzo Sud and the Marmitte dei Giganti. Those interested in culture and history will find different points of interest at Salecchio and the Torre di Cristo. The museum and the classified spring water round out this selection with mineralogy and geology.
Further destinations for planning your trip include Scareno, Quarna Sopra, Omegna, Mergozzo, Pollino, Cesara, Vignone and Villadossola.
For the broader travel overview: Verbano-Cusio-Ossola.
