Buggio is a “frazione de Pigna”, which means a subdivision, but the inhabitants of Buggio do see themselves as a very independent village.
There is not much written to be found about Buggio, but the word is that Spanish street robbers came over the mountain from France in the beginning of year 800, and settled in a stonehouse by the river, on the opposite side of where the village is located now.
Sometime in year 900 the first house was built where the village is located now. A big house for the “reign” and houses with apartments for the peasants were built around a very small square.
At night the two gates to the square would be closed and locked, to keep intruders from nearby Pigna and Castel Vittorio out.
The village was then developed from there, in first ring Via Cima and second ring Vicolo Scuola.
The village is divided into four quarters by the “intersection” in the middle of the village. This is where Via Sperun, leading up from the lower parking lot, meets Via Pre Alba, leading up the the upper parking lot, and Vicolo Scuole, leading from the lower of the upper parking lots, meets Via Parrocchia, divides the church square into lower and upper and continues as Via Forno out behind the village, then as a path leading down to the river where a small bassin will give you the opportunity to go for a dip.
Photo Credits: Paola Aimo.
On a small plateau to the east of the village is the oldest church of the valley, Chiesa di San Siagro, built sometime in year 400.
