| Valleys of Lanzo | |
 | |
| State | Italy |
|---|---|
| Region | Piedmont |
| Tourism site | |
Valleys of Lanzo they are valleys ofPiedmontese Alps.
To know
The Lanzo Valleys are three valleys arranged in a fan shape from Lanzo Torinese. They are minor valleys, which have always been rather isolated as they do not have car crossings for the France, but for this very reason they have kept intact a vast naturalistic and cultural heritage. They were one of the first areas reached by tourism in the 19th century, especially by the well-to-do Turinese, and still today they retain considerable evidence of their past as a renowned holiday resort.
Background
In prehistoric times Ligurian tribes settled there, which were subsequently incorporated by the Celtic populations originating from the current Maurienne called Graioceli. The dialect and popular culture secretly preserved part of the original Druidic cults over the millennia.
The territory was subject to a scarce Romanization, mainly due to the fact that the Romans preferred to use the nearby valleys of Susa and d'Aosta for exchanges across the Alps for geographical and orographic reasons, which led to a modest development and investment from the point of infrastructural view.
In the Middle Ages the valleys were called Mategasche, right from the city of Mathi. Fortifications were built in the villages at the base of the valleys such as Lanzo Torinese and Balangero. The territory of the Lanzo valleys experienced, like most of the western Alps, a significant increase in population between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and reached a demographic peak towards the end of the nineteenth century. During the twentieth century this trend was reversed and many of the municipalities of the valleys even lost more than 70% of their population, which generally moved to the industrial centers of the Piedmontese plain or abroad.
From 25 June 1944 to the end of September of the same year the Lanzo Valleys were the protagonists of the establishment of the homonymous partisan republic.
Spoken languages
The population, in addition to the commonly widespread Italian, speaks a Franco-Provençal dialect widespread mainly among the older population.
Territories and tourist destinations
Valli di Lanzo: full screen map.The three main valleys that branch off from Lanzo Torinese I'm:
- Val Grande di Lanzo - wide and flat valley appreciated by sportsmen of all kinds for the wide range of walks, climbing, paragliding and canoeing.
- Val d'Ala - is the central valley and is also the steepest and narrowest. Precisely for this reason it has remained uncontaminated and offers unparalleled woodland landscapes. It was one of the main centers of iron processing throughout the nineteenth century.
- Viù Valley - the southernmost valley, located at the head of the Rocciamelone. Narrow along its entire course it opens towards Usseglio, starting point for excursions and ski resorts.
Urban centers
- 1 Wing of Stura - In Val d'Ala, it has been an important holiday center since the beginning of the twentieth century. The town is enlivened by numerous sundials and frescoes that decorate the buildings. 10 minutes from the town you can reach the Gorgia di Mondrone, a spectacular gorge carved into the rock by the Stura.
- 2 Balme - It is the last village in the Ala valley, still well preserved. Just above it is the Pian della Mussa, a splendid alpine plateau, the starting point for numerous excursions.
- 3 Groscavallo - The last town in the Val Grande. In its hamlets there are interesting examples of the architecture of the valley. In Forno Alpi Graie, an excellent base for high altitude excursions, is the sanctuary of the Madonna di Loreto, reachable by a staircase of 444 steps.
- 4 Lanzo Torinese - Village of medieval origin, of interest is the church of San Pietro in Vincoli from the 18th century. The entrance to the historic center takes place through the Aymone di Challant tower dating back to the 14th century and at the time equipped with a drawbridge. Not far from the center is the Devil's Bridge which connects the town to the other side of the valley thanks to a single arch on the back of a mule.
- 5 Usseglio - Located on the bottom of the Val di Viù, it is a renowned tourist resort. There is the "Arnaldo Tazzetti" Civic Museum, an interesting widespread museum that collects historical evidence for the whole territory of the municipality, such as the old press, the parish church or the former cobalt factory. At the end of the provincial road there is also the picturesque alpine lake of Malciaussia created in the thirties by a dam.
- 6 Viù - Located in Val di Viù, this town has been a renowned tourist destination since the nineteenth century. The most valuable buildings in the town are undoubtedly the historic Miramonti hotel and the church of San Martino, built in 1782.
How to get
By plane
The nearest airport is that of Turin- Boxes
By car
Reach Turin via the following highways:
- A4 from Trieste, Venice is Milan.
- A5 from Geneva, Bern is Aosta.
- A21 from Bologna is Piacenza.
- A6 from Savona.
- A32 from France from Lyon, Chambery is Oulx
Once in Turin, take the north ring road (SP 1) and reach Lanzo Torinese from which the valleys branch off.
On the train
From Turin take the Turin-Ceres which reaches the entrance to the Val d'Ala.
By bus
Buses are also replacing the train GTT complete the Turin-Ceres section.
How to get around
What see
- Sanctuary of Santa Cristina. Sanctuary located at almost 1340 m on a spectacular rock overlooking the abyss. It can be reached from Ceres or Cantoira.
- Ethnographic museum-laboratory of textile art (Lanzo Torinese), ☎ 39 333 5053223. Small museum dedicated to textile art with exhibitions and demonstrations of the production of the typical yarn of these valleys.
What to do
- Excursions. The Lanzo Valleys offer hikers of all backgrounds a vast range of itineraries that cross the length and breadth of the natural beauty of the valleys. Here a little taste of possible excursions.
- Alpine skiing. The Lanzo Valleys are characterized by small or medium-sized ski facilities that do not impact the surrounding nature. An example could be the Ala di Stura plant or the Usseglio plant.
At the table
In the Lanzo valleys one of the most popular products is honey produced thanks to the presence of spontaneous honey plant species. The main varieties produced are chestnut honey, wildflower, acacia and rhododendron honey. Thanks to the breeding of cattle and sheep also the dairy art of the valley has always had an important importance; an example are i cheeses typical such as the toma, the toma of the lait brusc and many other dairy products such as Toma ad'Lans and the tasty mountain pasture tomes. Milk was one of the main protein sources for the inhabitants of the valley and for this reason it was also used to produce very nutritious first courses such as mnéstra aou lait made with rice, milk and butter. Among the typical sweets we can include the torcetti di Lanzo and the pastas of corn. Among the many cured meats produced we remember the typical salami of turgy product based on cow meat, pork lard and bacon, salt, pepper, garlic, red wine, spices. It is stuffed into twisted bovine casing. The word turgia in Piedmontese indicates a sterile cow, which has reached the end of its reproductive career. It can therefore also be a young animal.
Drinks
The local distilleries produce, according to centuries-old tradition, bitters based on mountain herbs such as Genepi, Arquebuse, Amaro alla Genziana etc. and grappa obtained through the fermentation of fruit.
Safety
Other projects
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