Attractions and Places To See around Dernice - Top 20

Each of these crosses, which travelers often encounter in the fields or, as here, on mountain peaks, is a reminder of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. “Here on earth, His memory exists, but in the Kingdom of Heaven is His presence: this presence is the joy of those who have already attained salvation. Remembrance is our comfort, we who are still wanderers, traveling toward our homeland.” (Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, c. 1090–1153)

Up here, on Monte Giarolo, the hiker won't find the classic summit cross that crowns many mountains. Instead, on a pedestal divided into two sections, stands the figure of the Risen Christ, adorned with a cross. Christ raises one arm in greeting—or rather, in blessing—and with the other, he embraces the cross, that gruesome symbol of suffering and death, which, through his resurrection, he transformed into a glorious symbol of victory over death.

At 1,473 meters above sea level, the peak of Mount Giarolo is on the so-called Ligurian Apennines but in the province of Alessandria, Piedmont. It is the northernmost point of the Antola chain and divides the Borbera and Curone valleys. On the summit there is a statue of Christ the Redeemer.

Mount Ebro (1700 m above sea level) is the most beautiful and panoramic mountain of the entire Ántola chain, and one of the most beautiful and panoramic of the entire Ligurian Apennines. It is a gigantic pyramid, mostly grassy, that rises on the watershed between Borbera and Curone, a short distance from the important node of Mount Chiappo. The slopes of the mountain are generally wide and slightly sloping, covered by thick woods at lower altitudes, and meadows above 1400-1500 meters. The imposing southern slope is an exception, which towers, very high and steep, over the village of Aie di Cósola.

The Feast of the Redeemer has been celebrated on Mount Giarolo since the beginning of the last century, when the first statue of the Redeemer was erected on August 11, 1901 (replaced with the new one exactly one hundred years later) in order to celebrate the 19th centenary of the birth of Christ. It was inaugurated by the Bishop of Tortona who, for the occasion, promoted a diocesan pilgrimage in which approximately 12,000 faithful participated. Since then, every year on the first Sunday of August tourists and faithful go to the top of the mountain to renew the tradition.

Very panoramic view of the Curone valley and the plain. Access is easy even if the last stretch is quite steep

Beautiful peak, the last stretch of path to get there from the Chiappo side is quite steep but you can get around it by following a hidden path on the right. From the top you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Curone valley and the entire Alpine range if the weather permits

San Ponzo Semola (hamlet of Ponte Nizza) is a village in the Oltrepò Pavese located on the left bank of the Staffora stream along the Voghera – Varzi “greenway” cycle/pedestrian path. The medieval portion of the town with its characteristic stone houses is located south of the town center at the foot of the small wooded valley of the Semola stream. San Ponzo was one of the railway stations on the Voghera-Varzi line, active between 1931 and 1966. In this timeless village stands the ancient church of San Ponzo, modified in 1400 without its medieval architectural features having been completely lost. Inside there are traces of frescoes and a stone baptismal font from 1161. Of note, the area of the Caves of San Ponzo and the Giaciglio del Santo can be reached with a short excursion on foot along the path that goes up to Guardamonte. Legend has it that in these caves in the third century AD. lived the holy hermit and martyr. Near the caves, the centuries-old "Grande Vecchio" tree of San Ponzo can be admired, although little reported.