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Surprises in Valchiavenna

Have you ever been to see the rocks of the Marmitte dei Giganti (Giants cooking pots) nature reserve in Valchiavenna? These circular forms cut into the rocks by ice are well worth a visit and offer spectacular landscapes.

The first time we came here was in autumn with the intention to taste Valchiavenna’s culinary delights, from the local wines such as Sassella, Grumello and Inferno, to cold meats like the famous Breasola, the pizzoccheri and the polenta taragna from Valtellina. In this period all the crotti are open: it’s the area’s typical cellars, built into the mountains’ crevices, exploiting an air current that keeps the cellars’ temperature constant. At the beginning we thought just to have a meal and they go back home, but then thought that we couldn’t miss out to visit the natural surroundings.

Medieval town. Chiavenna, situated between the two valleys that follow the Spluga pass and the Maloja pass, is rich in tradition, natural and artistic beauty, and traces of its history can be seen in many parts of the town, like the cloister of San Lorenzo, Pestalozzi and Pretorio, Palazzi Salis and the castle of Conti Balbiani.

An amazing natural reserve. The Marmitte dei Giganti Park that comprises the “Natural Reserve of regional interest” is situated between Valchiavenna and Val Bregaglia. The mule-tracks and trails that lead to the ancient ollare stone quarries enable the visitor to walk through an area rich in landscape interest, enjoying scenery of particular beauty. Il parco delle Marmitte dei Giganti, che comprende la “Riserva Naturale di interesse regionale” e l’area limitrofa classificata di rilevanza ambientale, è situato sulle pendici del complesso montuoso che delimita ad est la Valchiavenna e a sud l’inizio della Val Bregaglia. Seguendo vecchie mulattiere e i sentieri utilizzati per dirigersi alle antiche cave di pietra ollare si può percorrere l’intera area godendo di uno dei paesaggi più belli ed originali dell’intero arco alpino, tipico soprattutto per le singolari ed imponenti formazioni rocciose, testimoni di storia antica, immerse in una vegetazione esuberante con una concentrazione di specie tra le più significative dell’orto botanico del “Paradiso”.

In addition to the luxuriant growth of vegetation (a visit to the “Paradiso” botanic garden, where the most significant and rarest species are found, is recommended), this area constitutes a real open-air museum because of the many and interesting rock engravings, providing evidence of human occupation.

Looking at the panorama. The snowy peaks in the background, the wonderful Acqua Fraggia waterfalls, the small villages scattered along the slopes, and the rural architecture that completes the variety of the setting: every element is in harmony with the surrounding environment.

Walking in the woods circled by scents of nature. We continue our walk among chestnut trees, maples and cherry trees, to discover a wonderful place of uncontaminated peace and tranquillity just one and an half hour from the bustling town of Milan

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