Directions
Difficulty: T (tourist)
After leaving the car in Vergonzo, in the parking lot near the junction for the castle, you ascend following the signs along a panoramic dirt road that quickly leads to Castel Restor. The castle was built in 1265 by the Counts D'Arco and overlooks the slopes of Monte S. Martino; it was a stronghold in the conflicts between the da Campo, the Lodron, and the d'Arco families, fell into ruin in the 18th century, and now only ruins remain. A few years ago, restoration work was undertaken to preserve what remains. Currently visible are the remains of a granite tower, a water cistern, part of the palace walls, and some remnants of the surrounding walls. Returning to the village the same way you came, you can continue to discover the hamlets and small surrounding churches. Start from the nearby church of SS. Bartolomeo and Matteo, just below the parking lot: built in the second half of the 16th century where there was previously a frescoed shrine, probably by Baschenis. Descend to the left until you reach the main road, then continue, always to the left, towards Tignerone. Just before the village is the church dedicated to St. George, rebuilt during the Renaissance, with three fine altars inside dedicated to St. George, St. Anthony of Padua, and Saints Rocco and Sebastian. Pass through Tignerone to reach Cillà, where there is a private chapel from 1893 dedicated to Saints Francis and James. Just after that chapel, the path turns right (follow the signs "Biè – P.Arche") entering the countryside where, a little further on, there is a shrine dedicated to the Holy Crucifix. Descend slightly into the Val di Biè, then ascend and at the top of the short climb, facing the first houses of the small village of Biè and at a fork, turn left onto a dirt country road and soon arrive at the church of St. Nicholas.
After leaving the small church, continue on the flat road among cultivated fields until the hamlet of Comighello. Enter the village, cross it, and reach Provincial Road No. 5 of Bleggio, which you follow to the right on the sidewalk provided. Shortly after, turn right and take the municipal road to Sesto. To see the characteristic architecture of the village, continue on the main road to the end of the village and, upon reaching a small fountain, turn left and climb to reach a road parallel to the one previously taken. Turn left and continue, passing under a bridge, until returning to the provincial road where you take, on the right, an asphalted country road that leads back to Vergonzo.
