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NEARBY AREAS Ø MONVISO The mountain of Monviso has been mentioned by numerous poets and writers in the past, and by many modern authors too, especially as it looks beautiful, and just like how a mountain might be imagined by children. But Monviso is really like this – a perfect pyramid, when seen from the plain; 3,841 metres in height. Many have been tempted to try to reach the summit, since 1834, when the first attempts began, but the summit was only reached for the first time on 30th. August 1861 by William Mathews. On 12th August, 1863, Quintino Sella, with some other Italians, reached the peak of Monviso. In 1866 CAI built the first Alpine refuge near the lake at Alpetto in the Oncino area. Since then many mountaineers have crossed its paths and rock faces, staying in bivouacs and refuges, and sharing adventures and ascents with the Monviso mountain guides. They have responded to an almost irresistible need to climb higher and higher to steal a little bit more knowledge from the universe, the world and ourselves. Ø BUCO DI VISO Buco di Viso, also called the Traversette tunnel, or Pertuis du Viso, is a 75 metre long tunnel, on average 2 metres high and 3 metres wide, which can allow fully laden mules to pass through. The tunnel was built between 1475 and 1480 by order of the Marquis of Saluzzo, Ludovic II, who wanted to improved trade with his domains in this way with a direct and rapid connection with the Dauphin’s territory and Provence. The tunnel begins on the Italian mountain side at a height of 2882 mt., at the foot of the rocky walls culminating in the jagged crest of Traversette. The tunnel, which slopes slightly upwards, is easy to pass through whenever the entrance on the French side is not blocked by recurrent landslides which defy repeated attempts at reinforcing the ground. A visit to the 75 metre tunnel is always interesting: a portable lamp is needed to avoid tripping over little rock falls, or stretches of ice which may upset the walker in the dark. HOW TO REACH THE AREA: From Pian del Re (2020 metres) take path V 16 until the last (2h.30 m.) on the steep rocky slope above the blockhouse and the springs at Ordi (m 2787): the path which branches right soon leads you to near the opening of the Traversette tunnel (or “ Buco di Viso”) which will allow you to pass into the Guil valley, avoiding having to scramble over precipitous ridges. Ø ALPINE LAKES Tartarea, Alpetto, Costa Grande, Chiaretto, Superiore di Viso, Forciolline, Sagnette: these are some of the names of these splendid mirrors of water which can be found in the Monviso mountain range. Some important rivers have had their springs from these waters (Lake Fiorenza is probably the real springs of the Po) and by them have passed well-loved paths for many mountaineering enthusiasts. At the end of the 19th century, Lake Fiorenza was navigated by a brightly coloured boat, “La Bella Fiorentina” which had been taken there for the enjoyment of tourists. Ø ALPINE REFUGES
“VITALE GIACOLETTI” "QUINTINO SELLA" “PIAN DEL RE” (Alpine
hotel) “ALPETTO” (Unstaffed refuge), “NUOVO ALPETTO” “STEFANO MULATERO” (Unstaffed
refuge). “SAN BERNARDO” “MIRAVIDI” (Refuge-Trattoria) “INFERNOTTO” (unstaffed refuge) “LOCANDA REGINA” “BERTORELLO” (unstaffed refuge): Ø MONBRACCO In 1511 - five hundred years ago – Leonardo da Vinci wrote about Monte Bracco. His suggestions, along with those of others, make Monte Bracco a unique mountain inviting your own discovery. It is like a gallery, overlooking Monviso and the River Po, from which you can look out over a huge laboratory of geology, botany and wildlife. Monte Bracco is like an infinite, head-spinning book filled with fascinating evidence from pre-history, with its rock engravings as remote markers from a past which is by now almost on the border of fantasy. Other signs can be detected on Monte Bracco however: signs of the work of so many people who have transformed the mountain, such as those who have worked so painstakingly in stone in the old quarries. There is also the enchantment and rigour of the old farming architecture; the fascination of the mysterious barme, a complex network of rural tracks which link up on the mountain, and the diversity of a landscape which has been fitted creatively and harmoniously into an austere and fascinatingly beautiful environment, which we continually need to re-examine. Monte Bracco is waiting for you in the secret hope that you will want to explore it with curiosity, discover it with wisdom and respect, appreciate it with youthful enthusiasm, and finally grasp its meaning, by recovering the time and rhythms of the ancient past, as concrete, personal and collective experience of the immense work of nature and man. The unusual settlement at Balma Boves may be reached along a pleasant path without any unpleasantly steep stretches. Not far from this surprising inhabited centre, built in the shelter of a recess in the rock, may be found the rock engravings of Rocca la Casna. Ø RIO MARTINO CAVE An interesting attraction at Crissolo is represented by the Rio Martino Cave which are the most important Karst formations in the Cozie Alps. The lower branch of the cave is easily entered, and finishes in front of the Pissai waterfall, 40 metres high. Access to the higher branch is reserved for experts. In summer, the valley tourist office offers a series of guided visits, together with dinner. Ø STAFFARDA ABBEY Staffarda Abbey was founded around 1135 by a group of Cistercian monks who reached this area from Tiglieto Abbey (Liguria). Between the 13th and 14th centuries, Staffarda became a big agricultural enterprise with numerous “ Granges” (buildings and plots of land dependant on the abbey). In 1690, a large number of the buildings were destroyed during the course of a battle between the French and the Piedmontese. Renovation work began in the 18th century when the abbey passed into the hands of the Mauriziano Order. The Romanesque-Lombard church can be admired when visiting the abbey, inside of which is preserved a beautiful 16th century altarpiece made by Pascale Oddone. On the southern side of the church, there is a quadrangular cloister, with coupled columns in white marble. From the cloister you can gain access to the refectory and the Capitular hall. The lodge for guests are particularly remarkable, with its two aisles, and stone columns supporting capitals decorated with geometrical motifs. Another important building is the covered market, lasting evidence of the hard work and commerce carried on by the monks. |
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