THE TWO CROSSES
A short tour leading to the discovery of the symbols of faith protecting the village
Set off from the organic oil mill in Tignale and walk along via San Lorenzo, heading towards Olzano. At the end of the road, you can admire the Pisanpé votive shrine.
Continue uphill along trail 253 until you cross trail 245. At the crossroads, turn right and walk towards the Sunclass Bungalow holiday village.
As it approaches a bend, trail 245 branches off from the tarmac road, leading into the woods on the left. After about 300 metres, you will reach the first cross, the Gümer or Gristol cross. Follow trail 245 until you reach trail 253, leading to Bosco. Follow trail 253 uphill, towards the alpine hut in Cima Piemp, and then turn right onto trail 249. Here begins the most demanding part of the path, which stretches downhill along trail 246, a narrow path leading back to Olzano. In order to reach the next panoramic point and the second cross, you must deviate from the path. After walking by the old ruin on your left, you will have to cross a small valley and take a narrow path on the left. Follow it uphill, it will lead you to the summit of the Dosso di Consöl hill (also called Frassini hill).
1-THE PISANPE’ VOTIVE SHRINE
The term santella refers to a type of votive shrine, widespread in the eastern area of Lombardy. Shrines can be both public and private and contain paintings of saints commissioned to be displayed for worship. Among them, Virgin Mary is a very popular subject. The santelle used to be built in villages as well as in the country, usually at the crossroads between the main communication routes. In some cases, the shrines located in the countryside were the destination of the rogazioni processions.
2-THE GRISTOL CROSS
In 2004, the Gristol Cross was placed on a cliff overlooking the lake. It bears witness to the strong link between man, nature and faith. It was the faith of the locals which lead Tignale to commission an ex voto to celebrate the capture of bandit Zanzanù. In 1617, painter Andrea Bertanza finished the work you can find in the Shrine of Montecastello. By observing it, you will notice its resemblance with the view from the Gristol cross, described in the paragraph entitled “On the trail Beranza”. You probably are on the same path which the painter took to reach the Cima di Nota. We will discuss this in further detail in the paragraph about trail number 9.
3 -THE CROSS ON THE FRASSINI HILL
We suggest you follow these two trails so you can get an insight of an ancient past, when agriculture and sheep farming were the main means of subsistence in Tignale. The blessed crosses were supposed to protect the village from disease, bad weather and drought. During the rites called rogazioni, traditionally carried out until the middle of the last century, believers reached the crosses in processions and had them blessed on the hills. The Olzano Festival and Traditions Group carried out a repositioning project in 2004. Some of the scenic hills above the village have once again been adorned with this ancient symbol of faith.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Ufficio Unico del turismo di Tignale
Via Europa, 7 - 25080 TIGNALE (Bs)
Tel. +39 0365 73354
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