La Costiola historical path

CLIENT: Comune di Gorla Maggiore

LOCATION AND CHRONOLOGY: Gorla Maggiore (Varese) - 2004/2006

TEAM CREDITS: Lorenzo Noè and Paolo Lippi with Rina Agostino, Andrea Trucillo and Francesco Panzeri

PHOTOGRAPHIES: Piero Pais

DIMENSION: Lenght 140 m - High difference 28 m - Area 800 sqm

CONSTRUCTION BUDGET: 180.000,00 Euro

La Costiola is an old track in the Olona Valley, that connects up the Gorla plateau and the river. It was used by the workers of the filande - textile factories - during the XIX century. The restoration is based on the traditional theme of the stone staircase and of the rizzata - stone floor - and introduces some elements to allow the passage to bicycles. A special curb runs along the path on the mountain side, so riders can comfortably uplift their bikes. The curb and other elements of ground design are made of local stone. Downstream, the stones of the steps - i coltelli, (the knives) - extend to the woods, thus integrating the path and the site. The traditional rizzata is made of river stones stuck into a bed of sand and covered with soil. The grass grows between the stones and contributes to consolidate the path.