Route 2: from Viconago to Pineta Alta in Montegrino (From breathtaking views to attack posts)
The second route begins in Viconago, an antique village that has maintained the traces of its past in the planimetry of its centre and in the faces and decorations of the houses, the oldest of which goes back to the Middle Ages. Even the church of Sant'Antonio can boast of a long past: it goes back to the tenth-eleventh century, as shown by the Lombard crosses marked on the architrave and the high-gothic ogival arch. The church terrace gives a view of Monte Caslano, facing the small Castle of Ardena, that cannot be missed.
From here a short deviation takes you to the hamlet of Avigno with its fascinating Roman-style bell tower that has a frescoed arch on the roof, twin lancet windows and flying buttresses.
Returning towards Viconago, the road rises to Alpe Prada, where you can see some cannon posts, finished with admirable skill by the construction workers. The walls, for example, are very particular because each stone was modelled to project in a perfect shape. The false ashlars on the faces of the entries that led to the batteries inside the cavern, or the oval and decorated road boundary stones, are also examples of a style that was in line with the art nouveau that reigned at the time. Even the stairs are made more beautiful by reticulated work.
Heading upwards towards Pian della Nave you can see some mortar posts that are followed by cannon posts. The cartroad continues towards Pineta Alta, in the Municipality of Montegrino, where the Pobia battery is preserved together with many other forts. A series of uncovered artillery posts can be seen in the shade of the pine grove. The machine guns were often positioned at the opposite ends of a trench, in order to protect from enemy attacks. The most advanced front, instead, was positioned to defend the heavy artillery batteries, usually behind the trench. Even though open, posts like this were generally covered by branches and leaves to hide them.
From here a short deviation takes you to the hamlet of Avigno with its fascinating Roman-style bell tower that has a frescoed arch on the roof, twin lancet windows and flying buttresses.
Returning towards Viconago, the road rises to Alpe Prada, where you can see some cannon posts, finished with admirable skill by the construction workers. The walls, for example, are very particular because each stone was modelled to project in a perfect shape. The false ashlars on the faces of the entries that led to the batteries inside the cavern, or the oval and decorated road boundary stones, are also examples of a style that was in line with the art nouveau that reigned at the time. Even the stairs are made more beautiful by reticulated work.
Heading upwards towards Pian della Nave you can see some mortar posts that are followed by cannon posts. The cartroad continues towards Pineta Alta, in the Municipality of Montegrino, where the Pobia battery is preserved together with many other forts. A series of uncovered artillery posts can be seen in the shade of the pine grove. The machine guns were often positioned at the opposite ends of a trench, in order to protect from enemy attacks. The most advanced front, instead, was positioned to defend the heavy artillery batteries, usually behind the trench. Even though open, posts like this were generally covered by branches and leaves to hide them.
