Cities
Gignese (VB)
Gignese lies in a scenic location at the foot of the Mottarone, and has very ancient origins. Legend has it that the town was founded in the XI century, following the encounter of a certain Mr Genesio’s sons, with three young women. The boy’s father had gone to the Mergozzolo woods with the family to hide from the retaliation of some Genoese noblemen, while the three young women were hiding in the same wood to avoid the Black Death, which was killing off people in the Milan area. Walking through the town, you can still see traces of the ancient farming architecture, characterised by low buildings with stone doors. The XVII-XVIII century evidence is much more considerable. Among these stand out the religious buildings of St Maurice (XVIII century) and St Rocco (of XVI century origins but rebuilt between the XVII and the XVIII century). Of particular interest is the Museo dell’Ombrello e del Parasole (Umbrella and Parasol Museum), which relates the evolution of fashion from the eighteen hundreds to the present day through the display of about 150 parasols and umbrellas, covering materials (silk and synthetic fibres), ivory, wooden, and silver handles, and minute objects that make the umbrella a practical yet beautiful and elegant object.
Info
Via Due Riviere, 12 - 28836 Gignese (Vb)
Tel.: +39.0323 20067 - Fax: +39.0323 20772
E-mail: gignese@ruparpiemonte.it
www.comune.gignese.vb.it
