Monte Cistella
Encyclopedia
Monte Cistella is a mountain roughly in the middle of the Lepontine Alps
. It is wholly in Ossola
n territory and comprises three main peaks: the horn (2780m), the Cistella peak (2880m) and pizzo Diei (2906m). It is unusual as a mountain as these three peaks are connected by large relatively flat plateaus at an altitude of over 2600m. They were probably smoothed out by large glaciers and the result is a highly individual mountain that is instantly recognisable (like the Matterhorn
which is not far from it). It is the most symbolic mountain of the Ossola valley (not the tallest by far...Mount Rosa is at 4636m). But it is the most loved by the Ossolani, especially by the Vate dell'Ossola (maximum poet), Giovanni Leoni, who over one hundred years ago sang its praise. Ul Totorotela (Leoni's nickname) was one of the founders of the local Alpine Club as well as poet and traveller. He and his family had and still have a long connection with this mountain and over 100 years ago he campaigned to build a mountain hut, a shelter for keen alpinists that still bear his name.
Lepontine Alps
The Lepontine Alps are a mountain range in the central part of the Alps. They are located in Switzerland and Italy .On the north the upper Rhône valley separate them from the Bernese Alps and the Furka Pass and the upper Reuss valley separates them from the Urner Alps; on the west the Simplon Pass...
. It is wholly in Ossola
Ossola
The Ossola is an area of Italy situated to the north of Lago Maggiore. It lies within the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola. Its principal river is the Toce, and its most important town Domodossola....
n territory and comprises three main peaks: the horn (2780m), the Cistella peak (2880m) and pizzo Diei (2906m). It is unusual as a mountain as these three peaks are connected by large relatively flat plateaus at an altitude of over 2600m. They were probably smoothed out by large glaciers and the result is a highly individual mountain that is instantly recognisable (like the Matterhorn
Matterhorn
The Matterhorn , Monte Cervino or Mont Cervin , is a mountain in the Pennine Alps on the border between Switzerland and Italy. Its summit is 4,478 metres high, making it one of the highest peaks in the Alps. The four steep faces, rising above the surrounding glaciers, face the four compass points...
which is not far from it). It is the most symbolic mountain of the Ossola valley (not the tallest by far...Mount Rosa is at 4636m). But it is the most loved by the Ossolani, especially by the Vate dell'Ossola (maximum poet), Giovanni Leoni, who over one hundred years ago sang its praise. Ul Totorotela (Leoni's nickname) was one of the founders of the local Alpine Club as well as poet and traveller. He and his family had and still have a long connection with this mountain and over 100 years ago he campaigned to build a mountain hut, a shelter for keen alpinists that still bear his name.