In Villette, as in the rest of the Ossola Valley, medieval memories are still testified by the presence of ancient fortifications built over the centuries.
The remains of the ancient Castle of Vallaro from the 11th century, part of this important heritage, are part of the fortifications of the Lower Ossola (formerly opposed to the Upper Ossola). In Vigezzo Valley the Castle in Villette, which depended on the more famous and much better preserved Vogogna Castle, on the lower Ossola plain, was owned by the Ferrari family.
Not much remains of the original fortification, but the oldest parts that can still be seen today are of great interest: the splendid gate with its Serizzo stone pointed arch, with the classic central key, surmounted by a Gothic arch window and two slabs of granite in the lunette bearing an anvil, hammer and tongs, symbols of the Ferrari family.
The Castle of Vallaro stood at the highest point of Villette and, given its proximity to the border with Switzerland, it’s possible that it would once have been flanked by a watchtower.
Info: www.vallevigezzo.eu
