Waldensian valleys are the valleys ofPiedmontese Alps.
To know
Three valleys united by the same history. There Val Pellice, the Val Chisone and the Germanasca Valley for centuries they have been the refuge of a minority Waldensian who found refuge from persecution among these pleasant mountains.
Background
Since the Middle Ages the Waldensians, persecuted in the France and in northern Italy, they found refuge in these valleys. The Waldensians joined the Protestant Reformation in the assembly of 1532 in Chanforan (Val Pellice). In the seventeenth century the valleys saw several armed campaigns of the Savoy against the Waldensians. In 1655 the persecutions, known as the Piedmontese Easters, led to the deaths, according to Waldensian sources, of 1,712 people. In 1686 the Waldensians were again under attack: despite resisting, the Savoyard troops killed about 3,000, and brought about another 8,500 to prison. The rest, after a period of guerrilla warfare, were allowed to emigrate to Switzerland. In 1689 a group of 1000 Waldensians left Geneva and, with a 15-day march, returned to the valleys (Glorious repatriation), starting a liberation guerrilla. This lasted until 1690, when, following the changed political conditions, the Duke of Savoy Vittorio Amedeo II suspended hostilities, guaranteeing a certain level of tolerance to the Waldensians. Long endured in the Savoy kingdom, they were finally granted, by King Carlo Alberto, full civil and political rights with Patent letters of February 17, 1848.
Spoken languages
Although Italian is commonly spoken by everyone, the Occitan language is also spoken in these valleys (la language of Oc) due to linguistic influences from France.
Territories and tourist destinations
Waldensian Valleys: full screen map.Urban centers
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- 1 Angrogna (Angreugna in Piedmontese, Ëngreunha in Occitan) - It is the main center of Protestant culture in Val Pellice, has numerous Waldensian temples and, in an isolated hamlet, the so-called Collegio dei Barba, where it is said that the new preachers were educated. Just above the village is the "Chiesa nella tana", a deep cave that was used as a church during the persecutions.
- 2 Bobbio Pellice (Beubi in Piedmontese, Buebi in Occitan) - The last town in Val Pellice, there are the Royal Customs House and an ancient mill. It is also known for its "tumpi", deep pools of crystalline water located along the streams.
- 3 Fenestrelle (Fenestrele in Piedmontese, Finistrelas or Fënetrèlla in Occitan) - In Val Chisone, next to the town is the Fort which, with its 1,300,000 m² and 3 km in length, is the largest fortified structure in Europe. It consists of several towers, walls and drawbridges, it was used to protect the valley. Like a real citadel it preserves the officers' pavilion, the governor's palace, the church and a long covered staircase that connects every point of the large fortress. Today it attracts tourists from all over the world and has been declared the symbolic monument of the province of Turin.
- 4 Luserna San Giovanni (Luserna and San Gioann in Piedmontese, Luzerna and San Jan in Occitan) - It is the most populous center of Val Pellice, of interest are the particular civic palace built in neo-Gothic style and the church of San Giovanni Maggiore.
- 5 Solid (Massel in Piedmontese, Masel in Occitan) - In the upper Germanasca valley, a path in the woods starts from the village that climbs to the grandiose Pis Waterfall.
- 6 Pinasca (Pinasca in Piedmontese, Pinascha in Occitan) - One of the oldest towns in the Val Chisone it preserves the splendid church of Maria Assunta, in Romanesque style. Also worth seeing is the Hannibal Bridge, built by the legend according to the legend famous Carhaginian general.
- 7 Pragelato (Prajalats in Occitan, Pragelà in Piedmontese) - The highest town in Val Chisone, it offers an extensive ski area so much so that it was selected for the XX Turin 2006 Olympic Winter Games. In the town there is the Parish Church built by Louis XIV , king of France.
- 8 Prali (Prali in Piedmontese; Praal in Occitan) - In the Germanasca valley, it is an excellent starting point for excursions that reach high places such as the Plateau of the Thirteen Lakes. In the hamlet of Ghigo there is a Waldensian temple built in 1556, now used as a museum to tell the story of the valley.
- 9 San Germano Chisone (San German Chison in Piedmontese, Sant German in Occitan) - In Val Chisone, it can be reached by crossing a bridge over the stream dating back to 1839. The Rostania botanical garden, the Temple and the Waldensian Museum are of interest.
- 10 Torre Pellice (La Tour in Piedmontese, La Toure de Pèlis in Occitan) - In Val Pellice, it represents the capital of the Waldensian world. It has the Waldensian College, the Waldensian Museum, the Waldensian House, which hosts the Synod every year, and the Temple. The hamlet of Coppieri, once the ghetto where the Waldensians were confined, is now a completely rebuilt village.
- 11 Usseaux (Usseauso in Italian; Usseaus in Occitan; Ussò in Piedmontese) - In Val Chisone, it is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, there are splendid examples of spontaneous architecture, often embellished with important frescoes and murals. Also worth visiting is the hamlet of Laux with its beautiful lake, and the high mountain pastures.
- 12 Villar Perosa (Ël Vilar ëd Perouza in Piedmontese, "Ou Vilar" in Villarese, Lhi Vialars in Occitan) - In Val Chisone, it is the birthplace of Agnelli family who built a splendid eighteenth-century palace there. The sports field has traditionally hosted Juventus every year and a big party is organized for the occasion.
Other destinations
How to get
By plane
The nearest airport is Turin-Caselle or Cuneo-Levaldigi.
By car
- A4 from Trieste, Venice is Milan towards Turin.
- A5 from Geneva, Bern is Aosta towards Turin.
- A21 from Bologna is Piacenza towards Turin.
- A6 from Savona towards Turin.
Arrived at Turin take A55 Torino-Pinerolo and continue towards Sestriere until you enter the valley.
On the train
From Turin it can be reached Pinerolo by train and from there by bus.
By bus
From Turin and Pinerolo buses leave for all three valleys (timetables on the website sadem)
How to get around
What see
- Fort of Fenestrelle. Defensive fortress consisting of numerous towers and courtyards and 3 km long. The interior consists of a self-sufficient citadel.
- Smokestack. An evocative journey that takes place in the depths of a talc mine. The visit also takes place in part on an ancient mine train to fully identify with the hard life of the miner.
- Ecomuseum of stone "LE LOZE" (Rorà). Located between the exhibition site and the open-air quarry, where the stones were extracted, this museum tells the life and events of the stone quarrymen who have made the history of this valley.
- Val Pellice Astronomical Observatory, ☎ 39 333 7697826.
Guided tours by appointment. In this observatory, surrounded by nature, you can admire the starry sky without the light pollution that unfortunately ruins the sky of many cities. - Civic Gallery of Contemporary Art (Torre Pellice). It collects four hundred and fifty works by great contemporary artists from all over the world.
- Waldensian Museums. In all the Waldensian valleys you can find several museums of this kind that tell, through artifacts and testimonies, the history and persecution of the Waldensian minority that populates these valleys. The main ones are those of Torre Pellice, Pramollo, is San Germano Chisone.
- Costume Museum (Pragelato). Small museum where you can still breathe the past thanks to a large exhibition of costumes and tools of the people of these valleys.
Guided tours by appointment. In this observatory, surrounded by nature, you can admire the starry sky without the light pollution that unfortunately ruins the sky of many cities.What to do
- Excursions. The Waldensian Valleys offer hikers of all kinds a vast range of itineraries that cross the length and breadth of the natural beauty of the valleys.
- Ski. Thanks to their high mountains, the Waldensian valleys offer exceptional ski slopes. For example, in Val Chisone there is the "Milky Way"with even 212 slopes of all difficulty, or in Valle Germanasca a Prali there is a smaller but very suggestive plant.
- Human slingshot (Pragelato). Harnessed to a slingshot, it is launched reaching 100 km / h in less than a second. Perfect for those who want to experience strong adrenaline emotions!
- Strada dell'Assietta. Military road which, winding along the ridges between the Val Chisone and the Val Susa, offers splendid high mountain views from both sides.
At the table
Over the centuries, the Waldensian Valleys have preserved some typical products that are also distinguished from those typical of Piedmontese cuisine. Among these, cheeses such as saras del fen (a type of ricotta refined by wrapping it in hay) and the Plaisentif. Among the cured meatsamoursun (based on pork throat pressed and preserved with salt and spices) and the mustardela. Among the first courses we have:
- Waldensian soup (called Souppo Barbetto), a particularly simple soup
- Cagliette: made with potatoes and onions
- Potato Glôre: baked potato-based dish
- Pilot: fried potato dough
Drinks
A red wine from these valleys is the Ramie: D.O.C.wine del Pinerolese, produced in the steep mountain slopes of Pomaretto and Perosa Argentina with Avanà, Avarengo and Neretto grapes.
Safety
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Waldensian valleys
