On March 8 come the mimosa flowers, the posts, the shared quotes. Even the pastel graphics.
On Lake Orta, there were women working long before anyone talked about empowerment.
And they didn’t ask for permission.
This is the story of Nunziatina Ricciotti and Andreina Gemelli. Two different women, same stubborn determination.
Nunziatina Ricciotti: when the lake was work, not a postcard.
In the early 1900s, Lake Orta wasn’t an Instagram destination: it was hard labor.
Many men emigrated, while women stayed—like Nunziatina, known as “Nunziadin,” who picked up the oars.
Every day she connected Pella and Orta. She carried people, goods, letters, news. She was boatwoman, postwoman, nurse, mediator.
Her final crossing was at 81, escorting two newlyweds to Isola di San Giulio.
Today we’d call it “multitasking.” Back then it was survival.
Her story is easy to tell, much harder to replicate.
Andreina Gemelli: saving a place is a political act.
Years pass: the context changes, the determination doesn’t.
Andreina Gemelli was born in Miasino. Seamstress, cultural organizer, founder of the local Pro Loco. The kind of person who, when told “it can’t be done,” starts making calls.
Her goal was clear: Villa Nigra had to remain public property.
In 2004 the villa went up for auction. A foreign buyer stepped in. It looked over.
Then a clause surfaced: public bodies had six months to act.
Andreina insisted. Pressed. Persuaded. In 2005 the Region, Province, and Municipality purchased the villa.
Today Villa Nigra hosts events, culture, concerts, not by chance, but because someone refused to quit.
On Lake Orta, March 8 is not just a date.
Here, March 8 is less a celebration and more a reminder.
The stories of Nunziatina and Andreina speak about:
- invisible labor
- leadership in small communities
- care for places as collective responsibility
They’re not fairy tales. They’re social architecture.
And in 2026, the point isn’t to remember them, but to ask what we’re doing today.
Sleeping in a place cared for by women.
Seme di Faggio doesn’t exist by accident. It exists because someone chose to stay, invest, believe.
It’s run by a woman. And you can tell.
Not from a slogan. From the care.
If you come to Lake Orta for March 8—or any other day of the year—stay long enough to slow down.
👉 Book your room at Seme di Faggio.
And explore what to see in Miasino: places make sense when you know the stories that hold them up.
Further reading and sources.
To explore the history of Villa Nigra, consult the official website of the Municipality of Miasino and the historical documentation available online at villanigra.it/storia/.
For information about the territory and cultural heritage of Lake Orta, an institutional reference source is the Distretto Turistico dei Laghi.
FAQ – Women of the Lake
Who was Nunziatina Ricciotti?
She was a boatwoman active on Lake Orta in the early 1900s. She connected Pella and Orta daily, transporting people and goods, becoming a pillar of the local community.
Who is Andreina Gemelli?
She is a key figure in the cultural protection of Miasino. Thanks to her determination, Villa Nigra became public heritage in 2005.
What is Villa Nigra?
Villa Nigra is a historic villa located in Miasino, now a venue for cultural events and public initiatives.
Why are these stories linked to March 8?
Because they represent concrete examples of autonomy, responsibility, and female leadership in the Lake Orta area.
Useful links:
Sources on the history of Nunziatina Ricciotti
Sources on the history of Andreina Gemelli
“Accendiamo la memoria” photographic archive
