Carcoforo
Discover Carcoforo, the Ideal Village of Italy
Carcoforo is a small Italian municipality with only 72 residents located in the province of Vercelli, in Piedmont, in the Sermenza Valley. Founded by Walser settlers, it is situated at an altitude of 1304 meters above sea level in the Egua Valley, crossed by the Egua stream. In 1991, the magazine "Airone" named it the ideal village of Italy. In this article, we will explore the geography, orography, and history of Carcoforo.
Geography
Territory
Carcoforo is located within the Alta Valsesia Natural Park, an open and bright environment surrounded by high mountain chains. The territory is crossed by the Egua stream and surrounded by mountain ranges that separate it from Fobello to the east, Macugnaga to the north, and Rima to the west. Among the main peaks in the area, Pizzo Quarazzolo is the highest, followed by Pizzo Montevecchio and Palone del Badile. The other mountains form a large semicircle, culminating in Orello del Sajonche, Pizzo Tignaga, and Pizzo della Moriana.
Orography
Through the Colle della Bottigia, it is possible to descend to Macugnaga and admire one of the most magnificent panoramas of Monte Rosa. At an altitude of 1685 meters, there is the "Paolo Majerna" refuge, built by the CAI of the Lombard municipality of Boffalora sopra Ticino, which has the only landing pad for local helicopter rescue operations.
History
The first traces of Carcoforo in history are found in an ancient parchment kept today in the State Archive of Varallo, dating back to 1383, where reference is made to an Alpe Carchoffeni. In those same years, the pastureland was colonized by the Walser, who transformed what was a small stopping point for shepherds in the pastures into a real permanent settlement.
The imposing bell tower of the parish church of Santa Croce still stands out in the village today, whose current forms date back to 1729. Near the church, there is the arch of good hospitality, erected in 1743. A little lower, towards the entrance to the valley floor, the Church of the Great Cage of 1759, with frescoes by Orgiazzi and a statue of the Madonna of the Snow. The latter is connected to a legend according to which some shepherds, having found the sacred image near the Egua pass, decided to bring it to their homes far from the valley. But when they reached the village, the image suddenly became too heavy, making its transport impossible. It was a sign interpreted as the Madonna's desire to dwell in that location. And so, it was left there, guarded in the small church that is still visible today.
Two floods destroyed most of the houses in Carcoforo, the first in 1755 (which is linked to the local legend of the Fairy of Pietra Grossa) and the second in 1882. In December 1863, a fire destroyed a third of the village's houses.
Another legend also tells us about the wild man who lived in the last huts towards the Egua Pass and from there sent a great truth: "if it rains, it rains, if it snows, it snows, but if it's windy, the weather is bad."
In conclusion, Carcoforo can be considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy for its unique location and the natural beauty that surrounds it. It is worth visiting this small municipality to discover its history, legends, and especially to admire the beautiful mountain landscape that surrounds it.
