Kolumbansweg Schweiz - 21. Etappe Vicosoprano - Castasegna/Chiavenna

Since the village of Casaccia we have been hiking in Bergell, overlooking the mighty mountains such as Piz Badile, Pizzo Cengalo, Cima della Bondasca etc on the south side of the valley. The language of the inhabitants is Italian. However, most also speak german.

The Bergell came under Roman rule as early as 100 BC. In the 4th century it was Christianized by Gaudentius, who found shelter from the Arians in bergell. The church of San Gaudenzio in Casaccia was consecrated to him.

On 4 September 1618, a serious landslide occurred in the lower Bergell. About 2430 people were killed. In 2017, another severe landslide with a huge mudslide took place near Bondo, which buried 8 hikers under it.

In the cemetery of Borgonovo are the last resting places of the family of artists, which spanned two generations: Giovanni, Augusto and Alberto Giacometti.

In order not to have to climb up again, we stay from Vicosoprano on Via Sett to Castasegna. If you want to walk the Panoramaweg to Solio, climb back up to the Panoramaweg on the signposted paths.

Borgonovo / Stampa. The row of ancient houses in Borgonovo from the 17th and 18th centuries along the main street is repeatedly interrupted by small gardens and traditional stables. From the old, double-arched stone bridge we enjoy a beautiful view of the church of San Giorgio, rebuilt in 1694. The interior is embellished by a stained glass window in the lunette of the choir, the work of the well-known regional artist Augusto Giacometti. In Stampa we visit the Ciäsa Granda, the valley museum built in 1581, and get to know the flora, fauna and geology of Bregaglia. The museum also offers a glimpse into the former lives of the residents. Various works by these famous artists are exhibited in the Giacometti-Varlin room. Not far from the museum is also the studio of the sculptor and painter Alberto Giacometti. In the nearby Coltura we visit the Palazzo Castelmur. The northern part of the imposing building was built in 1723, the southern one in 1850-55 by Baron Giovanni Castelmur. The Moorish-Gothic style and the crenellated towers give the building a castle-like appearance, the beautiful gardens complete this impression. Today, the palazzo houses the Historical Archive of the valley.

In Castasegna there is still the possibility to visit the company Soglio "cared for with the power of the mountains", one of the many Swiss natural remedy manufacturers on the Columbanian Way Switzerland.

From Castasegna we leave Switzerland and walk on Italian territory to Chiavenna. Since the path is often laid out on the road, this section can also be covered by public bus.

I wish you a good onward journey and hope that you enjoyed the hike through Switzerland. Thank you very much for your visit, for the hike, goodbye / Arrivederci and a good onward journey on the Italian Columbanist Way.

Your hiking companion