Graglia
Hi friends! Today I want to talk to you about Graglia, a beautiful municipality located in Piedmont, Italy. With a population of only 1456 inhabitants, Graglia is a hidden gem in the province of Biella, well known for its Sanctuary and Lauretana mineral water. Here's everything you need to know!
Physical Geography
Graglia has an elongated shape in a northwest/southeast direction, and its summit, the Sacro Monte di Graglia, stands at 790 meters above sea level. You may already know, but I wanted to share with you that Graglia is also the gateway to the much higher Colma di Mombarone, from which you can access the Valle d'Aosta. To the southeast, the municipality descends to touch 365 meters above sea level at Lake Ingagna. If you love hiking, the summit of Colma di Mombarone can be reached in about four hours and offers a splendid panorama of the Pennine Alps. Don't miss the opportunity to stop at the Mombarone refuge, not far from the top, open only in the months of July and August. Graglia belongs to the Elvo River basin.
History
Graglia has a rich history. According to some scholars, its toponym derives from the Late Latin "Gradalia," which in turn descends from "gradus" (step) due to the steep nature of the place. In the Middle Ages, the area of Graglia was included in the Vercelli fief of the Bishopric and then passed into the ownership of Casa Savoia. During World War II, Graglia was the scene of several bloody battles and civilian massacres, including the massacre that took place outside the city cemetery on May 2, 1945. On that occasion, 28 officers belonging to the 2nd RAU (Arditi Officers Group of the RSI) who had surrendered to the partisans on April 27, 1945, in Cigliano, were killed, together with 5 auxiliary women and two wives (one of whom was pregnant) who wanted to join their husbands in the retreat. Furthermore, there was also the assault on Villa Garzena, where in 1944 Maria Garzena lost her life, slaughtered, while her family fled from behind to go and warn a nearby garrison of Republican militiamen who then arrived, in the portico of the Villa besieged by the partisans, who wanted to plunder the house that housed two precious Stradivari violins and several works of art. The Villa was later left open by the owners on the run, and the citizens took advantage of it to enter and plunder all the precious furniture and was later confiscated and occupied by the wife of a well-known local partisan. It never returned to the ownership of the Garzena family, and all the furniture heritage was lost. Maria Garzena was then awarded the Gold Medal of Military Valor.
Monuments
The Sanctuary
The Sanctuary of the Madonna della Neve is the main place of worship in Graglia, and it is located in the Sanctuary fraction of the municipality, at 790 meters above sea level. Here, you can admire numerous sacred works of art, including the statue of the Madonna della Neve, in gilded wood covered in silver and gems. Another peculiarity of the sanctuary is the presence of a sundial that indicates true solar time.
Lauretana Mineral Water
Graglia is also famous for Lauretana mineral water, which is bottled in the municipality's plant. The water is extracted from the source of Monte Rosso, located in the homonymous fraction of Graglia, at a depth of 200 meters underground. With a low concentration of sodium, a neutral pH, and low levels of nitrates and nitrites, Lauretana is perfect for those looking for healthy and light water.
In conclusion, if you're looking for a peaceful and interesting tourist destination, you shouldn't miss Graglia. With a fascinating history and unique monuments, Graglia will welcome you in all its beauty.
