Sentiero d'Arte

A scattered museum among the villages of Lake Maggiore

Every year, during the Easter period, the three villages of Trarego, Cheglio, and Viggiona—districts of the municipality of Trarego Viggiona in the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola (Piedmont)—transform into an open-air art trail. Sentiero d'Arte is an international art festival that opens private homes, courtyards, farmhouses, temporary studios, churches, and municipal spaces to the public to host the works of dozens of Italian and international artists. Visitors walk from village to village, following a dedicated path and discovering artworks in the most unexpected corners of these towns overlooking the Upper Lake Maggiore.

The origins and spirit of the event

The original idea dates back to the late nineties, but it has been a fixed annual appointment on the Easter calendar since 2008. The spirit is one of shared and accessible art: the residents themselves open the doors of their homes and gardens, creating a unique dialogue between contemporary art and the rural architecture of the mountain villages. Painting, graphic art, sculpture, ceramics, and terracotta become the languages through which artists address the social and environmental issues of the present.

What to see and experience

• Dozens of exhibition spaces spread across the three villages: the Town Hall, Villa Morissolina, the Church of San Martino, as well as private courtyards and homes.
• Large-scale art installations created by artists and volunteers.
• Contemporary dance performances, street theatre, live music, and roving performers.
• Convivial moments: the Artist's Breakfast, musical aperitifs, and traditional lunches featuring polenta.

An experience for the whole family

Sentiero d'Arte is more than just an exhibition: it is a slow walk through the beauty of the territory, amidst lake views, stone alleys, and works of art. The event attracts thousands of visitors every year and stands as one of the premier cultural highlights of spring in the Upper Verbano area of Piedmont.