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Riserva Naturale Speciale della Torre di BuccioneSpecial Natural Reserve of Buccione’s Tower
It spreads out for about 30 hectares on the top of a hill of Lake Orta west shore, dominating its southern area (Buccione hamlet indeed is part of the Commune of Gozzano, which encloses Lake Orta on the south). The remains of a XIIIth castle, whose Buccione’s tower is part, are situated right on the summit.
Buccione’s Tower is over 23 meters high and it is one of the few examples left of a series of fortifications that defended Cusio and St. Julius Riviera against the barbarians.
Entirely built with granite squared block, the Tower was the outpost defensive bulwark and it was also used as a signal point; it contained a store for supplies, some latrines and the defensive cell. On the top there was also a bell which signalled the danger to the inhabitants; the last among them, which dates back to the XVIIth century, is now kept in the Town Hall of Orta.
Moreover, Buccione’s Tower is connected to the heroine of Cusio, Maria Canavesa, and to its XVIth century deeds. A heroic exploit allowed Cusio’s inhabitants to wipe out the invading army but it costed Maria’s life who, once discovered, was thrown from Bucciona’s Tower together with her two young children.
From the environmental point of view, the hill is a thick chestnut wood which eventually covered all the slopes, once tilled by the farmers; the hill partly presents some fissures left by porphyry quarrying.
To get to the tower, just 15 minutes on foot are needed, walking on a dirt road from where the view is amazing: it ranges over the Alps and Mount Rosa and down to Lake Orta waters with their charming reflections, the green of the woods, St. Julius Island and the shore villages.
The visit inside the walls of the Castle and the Tower is possible under telephone reservation to the Reserve office.
Via Sacro Monte - 28016 Orta San Giulio (NO)
Tel. 0322 911960
Fax 0322 905654
Web www.sacromonteorta.it
Zone
Il Cusio
Locality
Gozzano