which rises up and above Lago di Mezzola

 

There’s no better time than Autumn to take a trip to this unspoilt little gem, which hinges on the village of Frasnedo, at a height of 1290 metres. You’re sure to be captivated by the magic of this little village perched like a castle on the mountain. The Legambiente were certainly impressed and this year awarded the place the ‘Bandiera Verde’ for having promoted a splendid initiative reclaming old pastures and aiming to return to old agricultural practices, previously been abandoned. Leave your car at Verceia. To reach Fresnedo involves a walk of around two hours, following the old mule-track which climbs gently upwards. The woodland of Valle dei Ratti comprises mainly chestnut trees. Striking views accompany the climb which overlooks the lake stretching out in lower Valchiavenna. Along the way you will come across a tiny chapel surrounded by enormous maple trees, by which time you are very near your goal. Frasnedo itself remains a well-maintained little village. Its little stone alleys lead you to the alpine dwellings many of which have been renovated. After the beginning of the 16th century the village was occupied all the year round. The church dedicated to ‘Madonna della neve’ is certainly worth a look; it was built in 1677 and consecrated on the 4th July 1686. It’s extraordinary to see just how many churches there are in tiny places where poverty was the order of the day. But it’s worth remembering that though resources were scarse, faith had always played a major part in the lives of the people and it is only because of their work, in constructing these buildings voluntarily, that we today can recognise their important historical relevance. Don’t think for one minute that the churches were built quickly: on the contrary their construction fitted in absolutely with the slow rhythm of life, - and progress depended – as they say – on a one step at a time approach, little by very little – with a bit

of luck thrown in! It was however common to ask the bishop to consecrate the church just as soon as the apse was completed, even if it was standing alone. As for the bell-towers – they were often added centuries later, exactly what happened in Frasnedo. The tower there is dated 1844. Frasnedo is very much typical of the villages which developed on the mountainsides. It was a time when the Alpine population was growing and people simply created themselves places to live: during the second half of the last century however,

these little centres became depopulated, became places for holiday times for the heirs of the early inhabitants who for centuries had survived up there by grafting out an existence

almost from nature itself. The celebration – ‘festa della Madonna delle neve’ held on the 5th August is an annual reunion – a reconstruction of the original community life – a genuine appreciation of those important earlier days.