The Viggiù quarries
The limestone and sandstone rock that can be found here led to a flourishing industry in past centuries around this town in Valceresio.
Quarrying and stone-working in the Viggiù quarries is documented from the early 15th century. Notarial deeds from that period in fact show that quarrying and stone-working flourished in the area, partly because this was exactly the time when the Gothic style of architecture was popular all over the peninsula. Local "picasass" (masons) discovered the exceptional qualities of this type of stone, easily worked but at the same time resistant to erosion by the elements, and therefore ideal for carving decorative architectural components and sculptures. In those years, Viggiù became a thriving town, with many workshops run by families of master masons and stoneworkers.
Many types of stone were quarried in the Viggiù area. "Calcarenite Oolitica" (Oolitic sedimentary limestone), a fine-grain grey-pink stone, and "Calcarenite a grana grossa" (coarse-grained sedimentary limestone) are found in virtually all quarries here, while "Calcarenite finissima" (super-fine sedimentary limestone) and "Piombina", compact limestone, are found exclusively in quarries in a location named Piamo. Another type of stone that is used a great deal is "Fior di Sant'Elia", a light-coloured limestone similar to pink Arzo limestone. Fior di Sant'Elia is found almost exclusively on the south-western slopes of the S. Elia hill.
However, the quarries below the town, in locations to the west named Val di Borgo, Valera, Piamo and Tassera, are those which supply the sandstone that was principally responsible for the town's wealth in past centuries.
The landscape here is still today remarkably attractive, unusual and picturesque. There are a number of large square pillars of sandstone, which sometimes resemble giant porticoes. The overall effect of the landscape setting is truly exceptional.
Quarrying and stone-working in the Viggiù quarries is documented from the early 15th century. Notarial deeds from that period in fact show that quarrying and stone-working flourished in the area, partly because this was exactly the time when the Gothic style of architecture was popular all over the peninsula. Local "picasass" (masons) discovered the exceptional qualities of this type of stone, easily worked but at the same time resistant to erosion by the elements, and therefore ideal for carving decorative architectural components and sculptures. In those years, Viggiù became a thriving town, with many workshops run by families of master masons and stoneworkers.
Many types of stone were quarried in the Viggiù area. "Calcarenite Oolitica" (Oolitic sedimentary limestone), a fine-grain grey-pink stone, and "Calcarenite a grana grossa" (coarse-grained sedimentary limestone) are found in virtually all quarries here, while "Calcarenite finissima" (super-fine sedimentary limestone) and "Piombina", compact limestone, are found exclusively in quarries in a location named Piamo. Another type of stone that is used a great deal is "Fior di Sant'Elia", a light-coloured limestone similar to pink Arzo limestone. Fior di Sant'Elia is found almost exclusively on the south-western slopes of the S. Elia hill.
However, the quarries below the town, in locations to the west named Val di Borgo, Valera, Piamo and Tassera, are those which supply the sandstone that was principally responsible for the town's wealth in past centuries.
The landscape here is still today remarkably attractive, unusual and picturesque. There are a number of large square pillars of sandstone, which sometimes resemble giant porticoes. The overall effect of the landscape setting is truly exceptional.
