There are countless towers scattered across Ossola Valley for defensive and surveillance purposes, but the Battiggio Tower in Vanzone con San Carlo in Anzasca Valleyis one of the best preserved and today it’s also a National Monument.
Built in the late Middle Ages following an architectural style already widespread in the Ossolan valleys, it was built using local squared stones. The date and reason for its construction are not known. It is thought it may have served as a temporary refuge for some local nobleman, as a signal tower for the arrival of enemies or as a safe deposit for the storage of food to be distributed in the Anzasca Valley.
Oral and written traditions report that Battiggio Tower was the storehouse for the treasures of the Facino Cane family, who exploited the gold mines in the valley. Most likely because of the name of the family, in the village the tower is still called Torre dei Cani.
Battiggio Tower, thanks to important redevelopment works, has once again shown its power and strength. The upper part of the masonry and the roof, which had deteriorated greatly over the years, have been completely rebuilt.
Its four floors are now used as a venue for exhibitions and temporary events.
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