In the 3rd century A.D. After wandering between France and Italy, Saint Ponzo chose to live a life of penance and prayer in solitude, retreating to a cave in the hills of Ponte Nizza, where the church dedicated to the hermit now stands. Despite his isolation, he was recognised as a Christian, condemned to death and beheaded in a place between Cecima and San Ponzo.
His reputation for holiness attracted the attention of the local population, who considered him a saint and venerated the place where he lived as a shrine. Legend has it that San Ponzo was able to perform miracles and heal the sick with his prayers. For this reason, the faithful collected drops of water dripping from the cave, attributing miraculous virtues to him. After her death, around 370 A.D., her hermitage was taken over by Benedictine monks, who enlarged it and turned it into a place of worship.
The church
The church that stands today on the site of the ancient hermitage, the first stop on our itinerary, is dedicated to San Ponzo, in honour of his way of sacrifice and devotion. The parish church, dating back to 1485, was built on the remains of a church dating back to the year 1000. With its 15th-century appearance, it houses 16th- and 18th-century frescoes, a 12th-century baptismal font and the saint's relics, with the exception of the head preserved in the nearby church of San Giorgio, in Fortunago.
The route
From the church of San Ponzo, the itinerary continues along woodland paths to the caves where the hermit lived, one of the most important fossil sites in the Oltrepò Pavese area. Passing through centuries-old chestnut woods, we reach the place where the sandstone rock, eroded by atmospheric agents, has been transformed into the caves where the body of San Ponzo was found. A small chapel has also been built here. After the visit to the cave, the route continues through oak and hornbeam woods towards Monte Vallassa, reaching a natural terrace with a beautiful view over the Staffora Valley and the high Apennines.
Monte Vallassa
On the border between the Curone and Staffora Valleys, the mountain lies at an altitude of about 756 metres above sea level. Monte Vallassa is a popular destination for hikers and nature lovers. From the top of the mountain, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Staffora valley that stretches at the foot of the mountain. Monte Vallassa is also an important area of geological interest, as it contains numerous formations of sedimentary rocks dating back to the Jurassic period. These rocks have been studied by geologists and palaeontologists for many years due to the presence of numerous fossils of plants and animals that lived in this region during the Jurassic period.
A climbing paradise
Helmet and karabiners. This valley attracts climbers from all over northern Italy. On the south side of Mount Vallassa there is a series of stratified rocks known as the Balze di Guardamonte, which are used as a climbing gym all year round. The routes are of varying difficulty, suitable for both beginners and experts. However, they should not be underestimated: they require good physical and technical preparation, as well as the appropriate equipment. In addition to climbing, the Balze di Guardamonte are also a destination for hikers and trekkers.
