From 19 July to 25 October “Ornamenta. Treasures of elegance and identity in Ossola” will run in Domodossola in Piedmont.
An overview of the development of Ossola’s cultural identity
The exhibition is spread across three venues: the Gian Giacomo Galletti Civic Museums in Palazzo San Francesco, the Casa De Rodis, and the Vecchio Municipio Cultural Centre in Santa Maria Maggiore. It is structured around a theme exploring the evolution of Ossola’s aesthetic sensibilities in the 19th and 20th centuries and the promotion of the region’s tangible and intangible heritage.
Three venues with a single theme
The exhibition brings together paintings, jewellery, clothing, textiles, photographs, tools of the trade and historical documents, offering an overview of the development of Ossola’s cultural identity. At Palazzo San Francesco, the focus is on the Ossola goldsmithing tradition, featuring items typical of festive attire, such as jewellery, plaster models, preparatory sketches and tools of the trade. Casa De Rodis hosts the section with everyday clothing and farm work, covering daily chores and scenes of mountain life, with works by the leading figures of Vigezzina painting alongside historical photographs documenting the lives of local communities. The exhibition concludes at Santa Maria Maggiore with a section focusing on undergarments and accessories – elements that reveal the customs, social status and identity of Alpine communities.
Giuseppe Rossetti, Portrait of Antonia Rossetti (as a Child), 1832.
Domodossola is a crossroads of culture
Domodossola is the main town in the Ossola valley and has always been a crossroads of cultures, trade and connections between Italy and the Alps. Situated at the heart of the seven valleys of Ossola, it is the ideal base from which to explore the region and its natural and cultural treasures. The historic centre, dating back to medieval times, boasts historic palaces, squares lined with arcades and the charming Borgo della Cultura, home to important artistic and architectural treasures. Among the most iconic events is the historic Saturday market, a thousand-year-old tradition that brings the town centre to life.
Villages, valleys and nature trails
Alongside its cultural heritage, Domodossola offers a wide range of shopping, dining and local produce, confirming its status as a destination that successfully combines art, food and wine, and hospitality. The town also serves as an excellent base for visiting the villages and valleys of the Ossola region, from Val Vigezzo to Val Formazza, as well as the numerous nature trails in the Alpine area.
