Welcome to Vecchiascuola, a B&B and Holiday Home located in the heart of the charming village of Pianazzola, 650 meters above sea level, a natural balcony overlooking Valchiavenna. Our facility is housed in a historic building, built between 1906 and 1916 as the village's elementary school, in operation until 1981.
After years of neglect and deserted auctions called by the Chiavenna municipality, the turning point came in the summer of 2015, when André Platzer, a Swiss native of Susch in the Lower Engadine, discovered Pianazzola by chance during a Sunday outing. Impressed by the beauty of the hamlet and the breathtaking view from the building, André sees the potential to create a unique B&B. In October 2015, he submitted an offer to purchase the building, which was accepted.
Renovations, which began in January 2016 and were completed in 2018, transformed the building into a welcoming and modern facility while preserving its historic charm. The crane was erected on October 12, 2016, and the official opening was held on June 8, 2018. The project was carried out with input from local professionals:
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- Design and construction supervision: Studio Panzeri (Manuel and Christian), Chiavenna
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- Construction contractor: CLV Costruzioni Lariane Valtellinese SRL, Nuova Olonio
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- Electricians: Fulvio Manetti (Piuro) and F.lli Carenini (Madesimo)
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- Bathrooms: Idrosanitaria, Prata Camportaccio
Today, the Vecchiascuola offers an authentic experience, with school-themed rooms and studios nestled in an oasis of peace and nature, a 5-minute walk from the municipal parking lot through the pedestrian village of Pianazzola.
Pianazzola: A Village Rich in History
Pianazzola, connected to Chiavenna by a convenient 5 km asphalt road, was once a lively center with more than 300 inhabitants, equipped with a school, small church, bar, inn and stores. A local woman told us about life in those days, when there was no road and people walked uphill along trails in the woods. She recalled the day in 1965 when, pregnant, she was carried down the valley on a stretcher to the ambulance along a road still under construction.
With the arrival of the road in the 1960s, many residents left the hamlet in search of modernity. However, Pianazzola has retained its charm: some houses have been bought by foreigners (Germans, Belgians, Swiss) as second residences, and the Nebbiolo delle Alpi vineyards continue to thrive.
