The name
The toponym should have its origin from the name of ancient population that populated this area before Romans: Agon Gauls. Therefore, “Vogogna” derives from Vallis Agonum, village of the Agons.

History
• 196, a headstone testifies Roman presence in Vogogna.
• 970, the first notarial deed in which the toponym Vogogna appeared.
• 1014, the emperor Arrigo II donated Ossola surrounding country to the Bishop of Novara.
• 1328, Vogogna became the capital of Lower Ossola (Ossola Inferiore), after the survivors of Vergonte , destroyed by flood, moved in that area. In 1342, it passed under Archbishop of Milan’s control and became a bulwark in order to defend dukedom. In 1348 the Viscontis built a castle there, reorganizing walls and fortress.
• 1375, the rivalry between Domodossola, the capital of Upper Ossola (Ossola Supperiore) , and Vogogna, culminated with a plundering of Vogogna by their enemies. In 1411 Vogogna rejected Swiss invaders but in 1416 they became allies against Upper Ossola.
• 1450-1535, the Sforzas’ dominion. Under the Borromeo’s government (1416-1600) Vogogna was passing its period of revival.
• 1535-1706, Spanish dominion and Vogogna’s decline.
• 1706-1743, Austrian dominion.
• 1743-1789, the Savoia noble family took the possession of Ossola
• 1789-1814, Vogogna is put under French dominion.
• 1819, Vogogna lost the jurisdiction over Lower Ossola and became a simple municipality.


The middle age imprisoned between cobbled streets and “beole” roofs
The visit to the ancient capital of Lower Ossola can start, immediately after the town centre, from Oratory of S. Pietro, the town Parrish (of probable Longobard origins) that preserves precious frescoes from the 15th century. In the courtyard, the Celtic mascaron with its fresh water jets, is a copy of the original one located in Palazzo Pretorio palace. From this church you can continue, following the main road protected by sidewalks, to discover an ancient Roman and medieval course that leads to the village. You pass through the district of S. Carlo with its buildings from the 18th century and finally arrive to ancient via De Regibus street in order to reach a widening where second church used to be located. It fell down together with its bell tower in 1975. Only its Renascence portal survived, now set within the new bell tower located nearby the church consecrated in 1904.Passing over a small bridge connected with already disappeared Superior Gate, you enter the heart of the village, that once was entirely walled. On the left side, the tower of the castle appears. While you are walking through the main street where, during the Middle age, there were many shops you arrive to Pretorio. In via Roma street, on its right side, there is a line of buildings embellished by balconies from the 17th century, and on the left, there is a small entrance gate , where the customs-officer’s house used to be. It is indicated by a beautiful, sculptured portal. Pretorio is a small Gothic palace, sustained by lancet arches on stocky columns , built in 1348 and the headquarter of Lower Ossola’s government until 1819. Around Pretorio some very beautiful houses can be found, such as Villa Biraghi Lossetti (1650) which is located near small church of Saint Martha. From the small square of Pretorio, you walk down via Lossetti street towards the Lower Gate, demolished in 1837. There is a beautiful foreshortening where you can admire church of Saint Martha. Going further, towards old piazza Camillo square, situated beyond city walls, on the right, you can notice the back of Casa Marchesa house, the oldest house of nobility in the village (1350). You then turn right, walking along, what once was an ancient wall(via Sotto le Mura street). From here you go upwards to counterfort ramparts in via Sopra le Mura street to admire low corner of the village, called in dialect “Cantun Suta”. A high-arched dark passage leads to Palazzo dell’Insinuazione palace, and from there you reach a striking small piazzetta del Pozzo square. From here you go up via Roma street in order to arrive to , on your left, a small path that leads to another part of the village called “Cantun Sura”. Its houses are leaned side by side and it seems that they surround the castle. Cantun Sura is reachable by a beautiful up slope partly composed by large stair-steps. Castello Visconteo with its rounded tower has dominated the landscape of Vogogna since the middle of the 14th century. Once you have finished your visit her, follow the path along the castle and cross the torrent, in order to have a better sight over this large building and the ancient village with its roofs made of stone so called “beole”. A twenty-minute walk along mule-track takes you to an old part of Genestredo, with its characteristic rural houses made of stones full of medieval patterns. An indication posed on the path invites you to visit the Fortress of the Longombard origins, reduced today in ruins but still dominating Low Ossola area.

Local Products
Regarding food, there are many characteristic products of Val d’Ossola worth tasting such as cheese and cold cuts.

Local dishes
Gnocchi “all'ossolana” are one of the most famous dishes of local cookery. They are made of chestnut flour, pumpkins and soup of boiled potatoes, dressed with fused butter and local cheese.