Overview
Like a castle, Villalago catches you with its ancient essence. Protected by the mountains, in the heart of the marvellous Sagittario Gorges Nature Reserve, surrounded by woods of turkey oaks and beech trees, the historic village lies, with its old houses and still visible traces of its past. All around the lakes stand: Lake San Domenico, with its clear, green waters; Lake Scanno, excelling in extension and beauty; Lake Pio, a natural oasis for water birds.
The first is probably the one that mostly characterises the village. A sheet of water set like a precious stone among the rock walls and crossed by a romantic arched bridge leading to a portico embellished with a richly decorated mullioned window, the perfect setting for the magnificent view of the lake and the homonymous hermitage.
The artificial basin, the result of human engineering with its deep emerald, green waters, is closely linked to the life of the saint who, with his disciple John, retired here in prayer to spread the rule of St Benedict.
Inside the portico, paintings portray four miracles attributed to the Saint: the miracle of the broad beans, the child returned from the wolf, the transformation of the greedy man's fish into snakes and the boy who fell from the oak tree.
If you are still in search of spirituality, you have so many places to visit: the 14th-century parish Church of Our Lady of Loreto is a real gem. The ancient rough stone cladding of the façade and the 15th-century portal have been skilfully restored. The church houses the important relics of San Domenico Abate. In the upper part of the village, you will find the Church of San Michele Arcangelo, probably built by the Lombards, which has Christ Pantocrator reading the 'Book of Life' depicted above the portal.
Another valuable sacred place is the Church of the Madonna Addolorata: dating before 1652, once the private chapel of Palazzo Lupi, it houses a beautiful miniature image of Our Lady of Sorrows dating back to the 18th century. The annual celebration dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows is particularly striking, with a solemn evening procession by torchlight.
Finally, don't forget to visit the Church of Madonna delle Grazie, commonly called 'Santa Maria', which was built by the monks of San Pietro in Lago and renovated in 1575. Of particular interest is a beautiful circular window decorated with an openwork motif, certainly belonging to the original structure.
The local culinary tradition has ancient origins: 'pacchiarozze', 'sagne coi fagioli', 'maccheroni alla chitarra', 'surgitielle' with turnips, 'polenta con salsicce'. Sweets are particularly linked to traditional rites and festivals: 'pizze fritte' at carnival, 'filaroni' at Easter, 'piccellati', 'palomma' and 'cucuruzzo'.
What else to see:
- The Old Town Hall: since 2003, it houses the Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions
- The Medieval fortress, in the upper part of the town, dominating the majestic belvedere over the Sagittario valley
- The "Torrione", an ancient cylindrical tower with the function of defence and sighting, as well as a prison, is set inside an aristocratic palace that once was a castle. There is also an oratory dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows
- The Water mill: which still has the millstone and gualchiera for treating textiles
Villalago is part of the Club of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy.
