CHALET VILLA ORTENSIA: Your dream house in

The villa, originally built in 1967, already then with finishes of great value, was completely renovated in 2016 and it has been ranked as “A” energy label. It is detached, free on four sides, in a dominant position with stunning views of the Alps and Monviso mount, without buildings on the rear side and well spaced from the neighbouring properties on the sides. It is conveniently located along the SP 188, in Borgata Levrette of Valgioie, a only villas residential area, about 800 meters from the village center (Borgata Chiapero), where you can find a grocery store, ATM, library, church, bar, restaurant, town hall and elementary school. It has a pedestrian entrance and a driveway gate with one or two uncovered parking spaces. It has three apartments of different sizes, on two floors plus recreation room and attic (not habitable, used as a technical room). They are all furnished with essential furniture (kitchens, beds, wardrobes, washing machines, etc.) and are therefore immediately livable.

Among the most significant renovation works, the perimeter thermal insulation by blowing, roof insulation, all the windows and doors were replaced with low-emission PVC ones, all the systems (electrical, thermal, water) were replaced. All the original ceramic floor and wall tiles have been changed to porcelain stoneware, with a marble-like or parquet-like look. The entire facade was repainted, the front one was plastered and painted to hide the klinker that aged its appearance. Even the interior has just been repainted, sanitized and thoroughly cleaned, and has not been inhabited since. Please refer to the technical documents (provided on request) for further details.

In addition to the garden in front, of about 250 sqm., it is surrounded by a park of about 1600 sqm., planted with large hydrangea bushes (hence the name) and numerous fruit trees (walnut, hazelnut, plum, chestnut, black cherry, cherry, pear, fig, strawberry vine).

The park, subdivided into three maps and fenced, is steep but has a flat area of about 100 square meters, once used as a bowling green.

The land is crossed by a stream and has a barbecue area.

Access to the land is both from the road, through an independent gate and staircase, and from the tavern floor, through a flight of stairs.

Instead, to access from the street level to the floors below there is an external staircase, with a closed basement currently used as a woodshed (also suitable for the shelter of small animals).

The Apartments of Chalet Villa Ortensia

Romance Apartment

The apartment is located on the ground floor of the villa, overlooking the front garden and

- the remaining sides - on the park of the villa.

It is equipped with double entrances with security door, respectively from the living room and the kitchen. Both entrances overlook a valuable Luserna stone paved porch, spacious enough to place table and chairs for having meals outside.

The entrance is on an amazing living room of about 60 sqm. with fireplace and fine marble floors. The living room overlooks a panoramic terrace with an open view of the Alps and Monviso.

Considering the wide spaces, it is possible to obtain two more bedrooms where now are positioned sofa and armchairs you can see in the photo below, or to insert sofas/armchairs to create additional beds.

The double bedroom, with its own terrace also accessible from the living room, has walk-in closet and en-suite bathroom with shower and bidet. Floors and walls are in porcelain stoneware.

From the hallway/cabin closet leading to the bathroom you can access the hatch leading to the attic, where the technical systems for heating and hot water production are located.

There is also a spacious eat-in kitchen. The floor is in Carrara marble, the porcelain stoneware covering.

The apartment is completed by a laundry room with washing machine and a further bathroom with shower and bidet. Floors and walls are in porcelain stoneware.

Melavorio Apartment

The apartment is located on the mezzanine floor of the villa. It can be reached by an external staircase and it is accessed from an indoor landing closed by an external door. It has a security door. The entrance is in a living room with kitchenette.

It has a double bedroom:

The bathroom, with shower, bidet and washing machine:

All this is completed by a large terrace 9 meters long, which goes from the living room to the bedroom,

with magnificent open view of the Alps and Monviso.

The floors and walls of the entire accommodation are in porcelain stoneware.

Belle Epoque Apartment

The apartment is located on the mezzanine floor of the villa. It is reached by an external staircase and is accessed from an internal landing closed by an external door. It has an entrance living room with kitchenette. It has a security door. The living room has Carrara marble floors.

The kitchenette has marble-like porcelain stoneware floor and wall tiles.

It has a double bedroom,

plus a children's room, overlooking the hydrangea garden.

This accommodation is completed by a windowed bathroom with shower, bidet and washing machine. All floors and walls are in porcelain stoneware.

The recreation room and the ancillary rooms

The tavern is accessible both from the internal Carrara marble staircase, which starts from the landing of the mezzanine floor, and from the external staircase. It is a very spacious room:

In addition to the open space, we find inside: - a comfortable bathroom with toilet and sink,

- two heating rooms, one of which also serves as a cellar, with wash basin,

- a basement with a porthole window, concrete shelves and security lock. - a little storage room, with security lock. The external access is protected by a glass door with security lock. Outside there is a porch and some greenery surrounding the building on three sides:

From this point starts the staircase to the park. This is the villa seen from the park, from which its development is evident:

The entire building is heated by pellets. Each apartment has an independent system, newly installed (December 2019) and still under warranty, fully compliant with the emissions laws provided by the Region for this kind of systems. For the water supply there are two meters, one for the ground floor (Romance) and one for the remaining apartments, each with a litre-counter for the right distribution of individual consumption. The protection of the house from unwanted intrusions is ensured by burglar-proof metal security shutters and grilles at the basement windows. For the reception of TV programs there is a satellite system with satellite dish, which allows the viewing of many channels worldwide. In the whole building there is the predisposition for the wi - fi system, only the router and the repeaters granted in use by the provider are missing at the conclusion of the contract. Among other things, Valgioie should soon start work on the infrastructure of the Ultra Wide Band Plan to ensure an ultra fast internet connection of at least 30 Megabytes per second.

Thanks to the way it is structured, the chalet is the ultimate location for growing vegetables and berries (in addition to the existing fruit plants) to prepare preserves and jams; to breed small animals such as chickens, geese, rabbits, goats, dogs and cats; in the recreation room to set a playroom with table football, board games, library, or insert additional beds.

In the following pages, the plans of all the spaces described above. Romance Apartment

Melavorio Apartment

Belle Epoque Apartment

Recreation room, heating rooms, storage room and shared areas

Ground development around the property

The request for the entire property, including furnishings and grounds, is € 450,000. Valgioie and its surroundings

We are in the North West of Italy, in Piedmont , the region that the Lonely Planet has crowned as “the most beautiful in the world". Former Savoy stronghold, cradle of national unity and engine of 20th century industry, the “Best in Travel 2019"; region boasts extraordinary nature, history, tradition, culture, technological innovation, top quality food and wine, sport and relaxation. is its worthy capital. Roman colony, heart of the Savoy kingdom, first capital of Italy, city of industry, Turin is still the proud city of the Savoy, home to the the sumptuous beauty of the noble palaces and the rigorous elegance of its splendid squares.

Turin is scattered with buildings of timeless charm. Along the river , on the hills and in the neighboring municipalities shines the 'Crown of Delights' , a series of royal residences built over the centuries as lieux de loisir for the royal family, the Savoy aristocracy and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among the 11 residences in the city centre (the so-called 'command area') stand out the sumptuous Royal Palace, which with the Royal Armoury, the State Archives, the Facade of the Royal Theatre and Chiablese Palace make Piazza Castello an authentic museum in which to travel through the centuries; Standing next to it is the Madama Palace, in the centre of the same square and historical compendium of almost all the architectural phases of the city; and Carignano Palace, with the unmistakable sinuous movement of Guarino Guarini's façade. Another 11 residences, except the Valentino’s Castle, lying along the Po in the homonymous park, beautify parks and hills on the edge of the city or in its surroundings. Here lies the delightful Queen’s Villa, surrounded by gardens and vineyards and a stone's throw from the centre, and in the first belt the Rivoli Castle, a military stronghold in the 11th century and now home to a permanent collection and prestigious temporary exhibitions; the magnificent Venaria Reale, designed in the 17th century as a hunting lodge, enlarged over the centuries and considered one of the most beautiful royal residences in Europe; and lastly the Stupinigi’s Hunting Palace, a Rococo masterpiece by Filippo Juvarra. For more detailed information please visit: www.turismotorino.org/it and piemonte.abbonamentomusei.it/ VALGIOIE , the valley of joy

Valgioie has an enviable location to combine culture, relaxation and sport: it is only half an hour’s car journey from Turin downtown, 45 minutes from Caselle airport and one hour journey from the "Via Lattea", the Olympic Mountains where the Winter Olympics Games were held in 2006, one of the most beautiful slopes in Europe. It is a small town with only 1,000 inhabitants, stretching along the SP 188 - an itinerary loved by a great deal of bikers and motorbikes - starting from and culminating in the 1007 mt. of its top, the Braida Hill, the watershed between the Sangone Valley and the . It is the ultimate location for who is looking for, crystal-clear air and water, silence only broken by birds chirping. Thanks to its magnificent position, sunny and panoramic on the Alps and Monviso mount, it is nicknamed " The Sangone's Valley Terrace".

The first human traces in Valgioie are very ancient and visible in the monilic rocks on the slope of Vernetta or at the Hill of Castiglione which testify to druidic settlements in the area. It is hypothesized that the name derives from Valle Judea, given the presence of a persecuted Jewish community, or that it can be attributed to the Gaie (the colourful jays magpies typical of the area). Other hypotheses narrate that the inhabitants of Sangone Valley, which Valgioie belongs, used to come up here in wartime to enjoy a moment of joy. Even the pile of stones used to delimit the road, called Gaudi (evolved into Gioie), could have determined its name. It became an autonomous municipality in 1272, the year of the statutes. Until the end of the XIII century the feud of Valgioie belonged to the Savoys. In 1294, Guglielmo Faydito exchanged the lands of Monjovetto to the Savoys with the feuds of Valgioie and . In 1310, however, the Faydito family, because of the debts, resold the entire jurisdiction to the Savoy. From this moment on, the history of Valgioie coincides with the history of Savoy. Valgioie is the only place worldwide just 3 km. from the symbol of Piedmont, the amazing Saint Michael's Sacra . Today it is a lively community where over 35% of the resident population is under forty, 36% under sixty. There are many good reasons why so many young people and families choose to live in this small paradise surrounded by greenery and wildlife, between mountains and lakes. Let's go now to see what this delightful village offers.

For Sportspeople

HIKING AND MOUNTAIN BIKE ROUTES www.comune.valgioie.to.it/it-it/vivere-il-comune/itinerari There are seven itineraries on site, that the link of the municipality of Valgioie illustrates in detail: • Itinerary 1: Modoprato - Braida Hill, 4.3 km., 2 hours • Itinerary 2: Braida Hill – Bagagera – Pian Aschiero, 3,3 km., 3 hours • Itinerary 3: Braida Hill – Presa delle Rose – Pian Aschiero, 3 km. 2,5 hours • Itinerary 4: Braida Hill – Monte Ciabergia, 0,6 km., 1 hours • Itinerary 5: Colle Braida – Pian Pumé – C. Bobi, 3,9 km., 2 hours • Itinerary 6: Altitude 1000, from Tortorello, 50 kms. in a semicircle • Itinerary 7: The Trail of Franks, 60 km., from Saint Michael's Sacra to Oulx Valgioie, with Giaveno and Coazze, takes part in the "Bike 1000" project which follows trail 6, "Sangone Valley Altitude 1000" There is a shuttle bus that at the end of the route that will take the bikers back with their bikes to the starting point, e-bike recharging stations, assistance, rental and sale of normal and electric vehicles. Also available are expert and qualified guides, a mountain bike school for children, and Nordic Walking courses. The hiking trails and trails for bikers are well signposted with maps, GPS and signage on site.

BOWLS GAME

On the large square of Braida Hill there are four bowls courts, where every week, in the summer, there are competitions and tournaments. Regarding this long lasting tradition of more than ten years, players arrive from all over. There are competitions for all levels, including the nice "Nen Bun" (incapable, in Piedmontese dialect) reserved for beginners and less gifted players. The management of the fields is entrusted to the Circolo Felice Maritano.

PARAGLIDING

PARAGLIDING SCHOOL “ALPI COZIE – THE FLY CLUB” Località Trucetti – Valgioie www.theflyclub.it - +39 393 185 3262 - [email protected] Ten minutes walk from Chalet Villa Ortensia, this school provides glides, also in tandem, with certified instructors, to absolute beginners too. It offers tourists the thrill of flying over Saint Michael's Sacra , the Avigliana Lakes, all while enjoying a stunning view over the whole valley, Turin and as far as Liguria on a clear day.

Others entertainments

THE WOOD OF MEGALITHS

Walking along the path that runs along the little church of Braida Hill, in the locality of Prese dei Rossi, in a clearing, 14 stone slabs aligned in a circle segment suggests the remains of a large Celtic cromlech developed around a stone stele, a menhir, still existing in the middle of the lawn. Other lithic traces are widespread in the forest, we can read of the existence of the 'roc dal capel' or rocks with the hat. Two large rocks with two large spheroid stones, placed at the tip, visibly in an artificial way. To date we do not know a reliable archaeological study of the area, so that we know with certainty the age of these prehistoric traces, if perhaps even pre-Celtic, or manifestations of more recent times.

MICOLOGICAL LECTURE HALL

Just above Braida Hill, in Rastellino locality, a classroom in the middle of a beech wood, visiting for free, educates about the world of mushrooms and their habitat, through comprehensive information panels. In fact, the woods around Valgioie are famous and renowned for the seeking and harvesting of the most prized mushrooms, such as pore mushrooms and eggs, not to mention chanterelles, goat's feet and other delicious edible mushrooms. All you need is a regional card for the current year.

MUSIC FESTIVAL “STARS OF VALLEYS”

Now in its second edition in 2019, it winds between Valgioie and the main surroundings municipalities. During the summer, inside important tourist sites, such as the Saint Michael's Sacra or the town centre of Avigliana and Giaveno , or in enchanting and fairytale naturalistic contexts, some of the most famous classical operas are represented under the stars, in a magical and thrilling atmosphere. The festival registers year after year a heartfelt and growing participation of the public, so much so that it is being considered to extend its duration to at least two consecutive months. It is no coincidence that such an event finds its home here: in fact, the famous italian tenor Tamagno often vactioned in Valgioie, in his private villa.

Attractions around Valgioie: Sangone’s Valley and Lower Susa’s Valley

SAINT MICHAEL’S SACRA

Via alla Sacra, 14 10057 S. Ambrogio (TO) +39.011939130 – www.sacradisanmichele.com/it/ Only 3 km. far from Valgioie, 11 min., and by far the closest point to the Sacra. Major attraction of the area, which alone is worth a trip. The National Geographic recognizes it as one of the most evocative mystical sites in Europe. This is a place where many, even in past centuries, have recognized a very strong energy and a high spiritual concentration. It is among the seven sanctuaries united by a mysterious imaginary straight line, the ley line of St. Michael the Archangel, from Ireland to Israel. According to legend, it is the sword stroke that the Saint inflicted on the Devil to send him back to hell. These sanctuaries are very distant from each other, yet perfectly aligned diagonally.

Sa int Mich ael Archangel’s Ley Line

In sequence, they are: Skellig Michael (Ireland), St Michael's Mount (Great Britain), Mont Saint Michel (France), St. Michael's Sacra (Piedmont, Italy), Saint Angel’s Mount (Puglia, Italy), St. Michael’s Monastery (Greece) and Mount Carmel Monastery (Israel). It is called “The Angel Pilgrimage”. The three most important sites - Mont Saint Michel in France, St. Michael's Sacra in Susa's Valley and the sanctuary of Saint Angel's Mount in Gargano region - are all the same distance apart, 1,000 kms. Moreover, the Line is perfectly aligned with the setting of the sun on the day of the Summer Solstice. St. Michael's Sacra of Chiusa is exactly in the centre of this magical diagonal line, which is also crossed by the Francigena Way that leads to Santiago de Compostela.

THE TRAIL OF THE FRANCS

Here ends the Trail of the Franks that Charlemagne walked in 773 to reach Italy. Starting from Oulx touches ancient Charterhouses and important religious settlements (from the ancient Provostship of Oulx to the Charterhouse of Montebenedetto to end - precisely - at St. Michael's Sacra ) and represent an important hiking trail that crosses areas of great naturalistic value (including the natural parks of Great Wood of Salbertrand and Orsiera Rocciavrè ). Along with the Francigena Way, since 2017 it is running for the UNESCO World Heritage Site, as a Benedictine settlement of medieval Italy. Being a monument symbol of the Piedmont Region , it inspired the famous italian writer Umberto Eco for his best-seller “In the name of the Rose ”, now also a successful film. It contains the tombs of 28 important members of Savoy royal family, including Thomas I st and Cardinal Maurizio. It was built between 983 and 987 on top of Pirchiriano Mount. From the top of its towers you can admire the Piedmontese capital and a breathtaking view of Susa Valley .

You can reach it: - by car or bicycle from Valgioie , Giaveno and Avigliana (at its feet there is a convenient parking lot), - on foot from St. Ambrogio through a mule track along which the 15 Stations of Via Crucis meet, - on foot or by mountain bike, from Avigliana hamlet Mortera, along the Princes' Path, - climbing, on the Fixed Rope Route Carlo Giorda, starting from St. Ambrogio village.

THE FIXED ROPE ROUTE CARLO GIORDA THE PRINCES’PATH In spring and summer the St. Michael's Sacra's Volunteers Association organizes weekly events such as guided tours, concerts, photographic exhibitions, conferences, both for adults and children. Here is the link to a detailed illustrative video about the Sacra: https: //www.facebook.com/fanpage

.it/videos/1461288374007488/ GIAVENO

The main center of Sangone Valley, Giaveno traces its name back to "Iam veni", the words that according to legend Hannibal pronounced on his passage. The towers shown here are part of the abbey citadel built in 1347.

Today it is famous above all for its picturesque flea markets and the excellent food and wine of the area, which can be found every morning at the market, for sale directly from local producers. Among these is the Cevrin cheese, produced only in Giaveno and Coazze. Or the small but precious production of honey, beehive products and berries. Other specialties are the typical sweet focaccia, breadsticks and bread, to which the "Good Bread Festival" in September is dedicated. If Valgioie is the ultimate place for searching mushrooms, Giaveno is the main reference point for buying them. In fact, here you will find the fresh wild mushrooms market, which takes place every day, during the peak season. Mushrooms are so important for the whole Sangone Valley that a festival, "Mushroom in Feast" , is dedicated to them for a whole month in October every year. During this period it is possible to taste them in the numerous restaurants, which offer themed menus.

But that’s not all. For those with a sweet tooth, a visit to the Master Chocolatier Guido Castagna, (Viale Regina Elena 14, tel. +39.01119887470) who worked with RAI 1 (the main Italian TV channel) at "The Chef's Trial", Master of Taste and winner of many prestigious international awards, is a must.

This area also expresses the best of itself in terms of craft beer. Within a few kilometres, we find six microbreweries with the highest quality products: - Giaveno: Aleghe Birra di Montagna, Via Beale 40 bis, +393939938105, www.aleghebirra.com Birrificio Gravità Zero, Via Caduti sul Lavoro 27, +393398174860, birragravitazero.com - Avigliana: Laval, Birrificio Valsusa, Via Einstein 18, +390119342922, www.birralaval.it - Rosta: Castagnero, Str. Antica di Alpignano 26, +393298618417, www.birrificiocastagnero.com - St. Ambrogio: San Michele, Via III Reggimento Alpini, 10/A, +3901119815118 , www.birrasanmichele.it - Vaie: Soralamà, Via Nazionale 14, SS 25 Km. 32,5, +3901119584785, www.soralama.it Among the most interesting initiatives to enhance tourism in the area, the "Festival of Lights" , during christmas and several festivity times, attracts a large audience even from outside the region.

“THE BIG MASK”, ONE OF THE GIAVENO EMBLEMS THE SPEAKING TREE THE MAIN SQUARE, DURING THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

Giaveno is connected by buses coming from the Central Station of Porta Nuova, in Turin. It is 6 km. and 10 minutes away from Valgioie. From Giaveno the bus leaves for Valgioie and back. For Sportspeople

HORSE RIDING

HORSE CLUB “THE LAND OF HORSES”

Borgata Forceria 36, Giaveno +393348867643 Davide

It is a recently opened riding stables, which offers a sand work camp, a sand rod, stable boxes, a horse boarding shed paddock for different needs, a club house for parties and events, a green area for children, barbecues and picnics areas.

AVIGLIANA

THE SIGHT OF LAKES FROM VALGIOIE , MODOPRATO HAMLET

A small city at the entrance of the Susa Valley, Avigliana is an ancient village overlooking two small morainic lakes, part of the Avigliana Lakes Natural Park. It is 11 km. and fifteen minutes car's journey from Valgioie. It is joined by motorway (A32), train and bus. Despite being a small town, it is very lively and has many points of interest, including: - the charming old town , dating back to medieval times:

- The ruins of the castle , originally built in 924:

Every year, in June, the "Historical Palio at the Court of the Red Count" is held. The historical- popular event commemorates the passage through Avigliana, in 1389, of Valentina Visconti, Duke of Milan's daughter, with an imposing court in her retinue, on her way to France to meet her husband, Louis de Turenna, King of France's brother. On that occasion, Amadeus VII of Savoy, the Red Count, gave a great party that lasted several days long, in which all the nobles of the area took part, ending with a tournament of games and a horse palio.

During the re-enactment, the Red Count and his Court follow one another, with great pomp of costumes, horses and riders, the Boroughs, flag wavers, musicians, warriors and jugglers.

AVIGLIANA LAKES NATURAL PARK

It consists of three ecosystems: the two lakes, the Mareschi swamp and the morainic hills. The lakes are the only survivors among those formed after the last two great Pleistocene glaciations in Susa Valley. The aquatic fauna consists of: carp, pike, trout perch, royal perch, bleak, chub, and rudd. It is the avifauna, however, that shows the most interesting species. Inside the park, hundreds of aquatic birds nest and winter every year. The Small Lake represents the best solution for bird watching, here you can observe ducks, coots, grey herons, mandarine ducks and the grebe, which between late winter and early spring perform their characteristic courting ritual called "mirror dance".

For Sportspeople

The offer of sports activities in Avigliana is is extremely versatile and plentiful. You will be spoilt for choice between a wide range of water sports, horse riding, tennis and golf.

WATER SPORTS

Avigliana has been awarded the 5 sails of Legambiente for the lake resorts, the first being in Piedmont. The Great Lake allows you to swim and fish. There are a few free beaches and equipped premises with deckchairs and sunshades. You can rent boats and pedal boats.

SAILING CENTER

C.V.A. - Corso Laghi 282, Avigliana +393921276317 Andrea To practice or learn water skiing, sailing (disability friendly), Stand up Paddle (SUP), windsurfing, wakeboarding, canoeing, rowing and kayaking.

SAILING CLUB

C.N.A. - Corso Laghi 420, Avigliana +390119311870 [email protected] To practice or learn water skiing and windsurf.

HORSE RIDING

There are three riding stables where you can learn to ride from an early age. Horse riding classes from 8 years old and up, including riding stables lessons and trail riding in the surrounding hills. You will also get to know the horse, looking after it and saddling it. So the horse becomes a friend to share and savour the wonders of nature.

HORSEWOOD RIDING CLUB ASD – ASSOCIAZIONE CAVALLONATURA

Via Davì 17 – Avigliana - 347 157 4762

THE HORSE LAKES

Via Prole 2 – Avigliana - 338 580 6055 Paolo Palazzo - www.thehorselakes.it

IPPICA VALSUSA ASD

Via Cascina Bacchiasso 2 – Avigliana – 0119313389 – 3492111291 Martina [email protected]

TENNIS

Playing tennis by the lake... it's priceless! Three red clay tennis courts, one of wich covered in a fixed structure, lit by LEDs, plus two Padel courts. You can play all year round.

GREEN VILLAGE Village Club Tennis e Padel Via delle Maddalene 11 – Avigliana 3938736054 www.greenvillageclub.it [email protected] Tennis school from 5 to 16 years old; individual and group lessons. Swimming pool reserved for registered members only, on reservation, sunbed included.

GOLF

The area where the golf course is now located was occupied until the 1950s by the Nobel Dynamite factory, where the Italian writer Primo Levi worked as a chemist at the end of the Second World War, finding in his spare time the inspiration to write his first great work. There are still some small hidden casemates of the dynamite factory; moreover, the Ecomuseum tells its story. Many holes offers the player a marvellous landscape: you can see the mountains of the valley from all different angles, including the Rocciamelone mount together with the majesty of Saint Michael's Sacra .

The Golf Club covers a 70 hectares area, partly hilly and partly flat, on a piece of land close to the hilly area before the lakes. The 18-hole course alternates more challenging holes with more relaxing ones. The Golf School organizes learning programs for all levels, single lessons and youth activities, from 6 years old. The Club House consists of two bodies connected by a beautiful porch with exposed wooden beams. In the middle there is a swimming pool surrounded by trees and hedges. On the first floor there is the room reserved for card players. For those who want to watch the game or enjoy the view there is a large terrace. A.S.D. GOLF CLUB LE FRONDE Via Sant’Agostino, 68 - Avigliana 0119328053 www.golflefronde.it [email protected]

Others entertainments In addition to sporting activities, the evening brings a wonderful atmosphere for a romantic stroll along the lakeside promenade or sip a cocktail in the many clubs along the shore. And for those seeking a vibrant nightlife, there is no shortage of disco.

Nearby Valgioie, Giaveno, Avigliana

ROMAN VILLA– ALMESE tel: +390119350201 internal 5 - Free guided tours conducted by an archaeologist (on reservation). The Roman villa of Almese remains are displayed in Grange di Rivera hamlet. The site is located halfway up the slope, in a climatically favourable position with considerable panoramic interest. Its construction probably dates back to the 1st century AD. It was the largest private building of the Roman period in northern Italy, a vast complex of about 5,000 square meters, and was spread over two floors built around a large central porticoed courtyard, surrounded by rooms on three sides. The composition of these rooms is only partially reconstructible from the traces of the foundation walls and the architectural materials precipitated downstream in the collapse that destroyed it, probably in the 4th century AD.

All the walls were plastered: with rough plaster on the lower floor, and finished plaster on the upper. This distinction suggests a residential use of the rooms on the first floor, while the ground floor, more modest, seems to have been used by the servants. The floors were made with a variety of different designs including mosaics, white and coloured stone flakes earthenware, or in simple mortar on a crawl space. The villa is located at a very early stage of Romanization, on the edge of the Gaul road which is at the Augusta Taurinorum colony origin, in close proximity of "statio ad fines" (Drubiaglio of Avigliana), the nodal point of the Romanization of the area. SAINT ANTHONY RANVERSO’S PRECEPTORY

Strada S. Antonio Ranverso 6 – Buttigliera Alta

The Saint Anthony Abbot of Ranverso's abbey combines in its name the dedication to Saint Anthony Abbot and the toponym of "rivus inversus", a nearby morainic hills canal north. It was founded in 1188 by St. Anthony of Vienne's Hospitaller Order, dedicated to the pilgrims's care on the Francigena Way and to the herpes zoster's care (the "fire of St. Anthony").

Among the valuable elements, on the building’s outside there are the brickwork wimpergs, keystones, capitals and the shelves in the pronaos. Inside, decorations date back to the end of the 12th century, depicting Blessing Christ, the Crib and the Saints Peter and Paul. In the left aisle, the frescoes of Blessing Christ among the symbols of the evangelists and some apostles date back to the 14th centuries, while the frescoes of the Adoration of the Three Kings, the Jesus's Presentation in the Temple and the Annunciation date back to the 14th and 15th centuries. The interior of the church was further frescoed around 1395, with scenes in the Magdalene's chapel. In 1406 Giacomo Jaquerio signed the fresco of Our Lady enthroned, the Christ of piety and the Saint Anthony Abbot's Stories in the presbytery. He also signed the Saint Blaise's Stories in the right aisle, and the cycle of the Passion in the sacristy. Jaquerio is the most important promoter of international Gothic in Piedmont. Inside is the Polyptych of the Nativity featuring Sts. Rocco, Sebastiano, Antonio Abate and Bernardino from Siena, made in 1531 by Defendente Ferrari, accompanied by a dais decorated with scenes from the life of St. Anthony the Abbot.

“REA” BOTANIC GARDEN

Strada Giaveno 40 – San Bernardino di - tel. 339 53 411 72

This garden was founded as "Experimental Garden of acclimatization for alpine and perennial herbaceous plants", and it was later acquired by the Piedmont Region to integrate the Turin's Natural Science Museum, completely renovated and entrusted to the Mountain Community. More than 2500 plant species are cultivated in the Garden, over time the collections have been enriched and paths have been developed to illustrate the most updated botanical techniques, naturalistic research, and the development of a new botanical museology. In the outdoor areas we find collections of flowering plants, such as irises, spontaneous hybrid fuchsias, the collection of useful plants, and the arboretum of local and exotic plants. In the greenhouses there are interesting collections of carnivorous and succulent plants from all over the world. Exploratory tours, guided tours and regular thematic exhibitions offer visitors of all ages the opportunity to learn the secrets of plant life in all seasons. Events, courses, conferences and educational activities are organised throughout all the year long.

For Sportspeople

SHOOTING RANGE

“LE CHAMOIS” Località Sciovie Pian Neiretto – Forno di Coazze 01119887455- [email protected] Opened in summer, during ski lifts closure, it is equipped with: - 2 gun lines with distances of 10, 25 m., 50 m.., the latter also in motion; - carbine: 2 wild boar lines running at 50 m..; 4 lines 100 m., 10 lines 200 m., 6 lines 300 m.; 1 line 350 m., 3 lines 400 m., 1 line 450 m.; 2 lines 500 m., 6 lines 600 yards equipped with cameras; 6 lines 800 yards equipped with cameras. On reservation it is possible to shoot at night from 100 m. to 800 yards with a minimum of 4 shooters. CLIMBING

Throughout the whole area, between Giaveno, Valgioie, Coazze and Avigliana there are numerous climbing routes: - Upper Sangone Valley: Haystack Peaks, Balma Valley, Ram Rock; - Carra Saettiva: Roc du Preve (Priest Rock), Roc du Vei (Old People Rock), Roc Neire Coulur (Black Color Rock); - Baciasse Rock: Little Eagles, Castle, Dormouse's Wall, Piergiorgio, Discovery, Rainbow, Meeting, Big Wall, President & Company; - - Rock Corba (Braida Hill, Valgioie ); - - Bouldering Lower Valley: Prese Rossi Boulders (Valgioie ), Ratti Boulder, Casaccia Boulder, Solomon's Stone; - - Bouldering Upper Valley: Boulders towards Balma Refuge, Boulder of the Power Plant, Merloblocco (Blackbird Block), Boulders towards Pian Neiretto, Boulder on Sangone Creek. - Very detailed information can be found on the Valsangone Outdoor website: www.valsangoneoutdoor.it or at the Italian Alpine Club (CAI) section of Giaveno, Colombatti Square 14, +390119378002, www.caigiaveno.com/wordpress/

ALPI COZIE - ORSIERA ROCCIAVRE’ NATURAL PARK www.parchialpicozie.it

THE GROUP OF ORSIERA ROCCIAVRE’

Pintas Visitor Center Alpe Pintas 10060 Fenestrelle (TO) +39 3319158271 90 km. from Valgioie, 1 h 43 min Recreational activities: refreshment point, sandwiches, picnic. This is an area dedicated to the land and pasture, , mainly for breeds of cattle that mount in summer on the alps. The various tools used during the months of work at altitude dedicated to haymaking, sheep-farming and cheese-making are exhibited and described. The Centre is located at Alpe Pintas, on the provincial road that goes from the bottom of the Chisone Valley up to Windows Hill.

Great Wood of Salbertrand Park and Ecomuseum Colombano Romean Visitor Center Via Fransuà Fontan, 1, 10050 Salbertrand (TO), Italia 90 km. from Valgioie, 1 h 43 min Active since 2005 it hosts the multifunctional headquarters and the Visitor Centre of the Great Wood of Salbertrand Natural Park. The building, located on the borders of the protected area, is also accessible by train and on foot from the motorway service areas and allows you to easily reach the main hiking trails that cross the Park. These trails include Franks' Path, Way of the Franks, Great Crossing of the Alps, Glorious Repatriation of the Waldensians, Ecomuseum Path and Forest Educational Path, leading to a classroom in the woods and meadows and ecomuseum sites within the protected area. The visitor centre is fully accessible to the disabled and equipped to welcome visitors and in particular school groups.

THE FLORA OF THE PARK

The exhibition area is reminiscent of the woodland, the dominant environment of the Park, with four pillars made of rough local larch and the larch staircase with wide treads and squared structure; various dioramas are set up here (the showcase of diurnal and nocturnal birds of prey, the didactic showcase on the avifauna of the Park, from passerines to birds of prey, and, in the long staircase, the diorama of the Alpine environment, from the high altitude prairies to the woods, from the shrubs to the river bed) and a rich display of deer stages and finds. An interactive totem allows you to listen to the verses of wild animals. The centre also houses a magnificent example of a naturalised wolf. A large interactive trunk with doors and drawers allows you to discover the "forest" environment, the trees and mushrooms, the animals that populate it and their tracks, the legends that animate it and the games that illustrate it. In the hall there is an information and sales point for promotional products and the bookshop. From the visitor centre it is possible to access the conference room with 99 seats where a series of illustrative panels guide the visitor to discover the peculiarities of the Protected Area. In 2008 a new visit wing was built to house the "Espace Escarton" Documentation Centre, in order to showcase and preserve the peculiarities of our Valleys, provide an information material diffusion centre for tourists, animation, meeting and exchange area. It hosts an interactive multimedia model to discover the territory of reference, its environments, history, language, architecture, traditions, initiatives implemented... It is also equipped with a thematic library, a well-equipped teaching room with 30 seats and a rich exhibition of rocks and minerals of the territory, made from a collection created within the interregional project "The mountains born from the sea" and thanks to the contribution of experts and collectors. One of the displays dedicated to exploitation of the mines in the Salbertrand area is the mineralogical and petrographic exhibition, reflected in the Ecomuseum site dedicated to the Mine.

THE FAUNA OF THE PARK

WINTER SPORTS

SKI

PIAN NEIRETTO SKI SLOPES Borgata Ferria 4 – Forno di Coazze 01119887473 – 0119340377 pianneiretto.it - [email protected]

The small ski resort of Pian Neiretto is located in the Orsiera-Rocciavrè Natural Park, in the upper Sangone Valley , between 1350 and 1650 meters above sea level. It is 15 km. away from Valgioie. Few people know that in 1901 the first ski club in Italy was founded in Turin, which saw the first skiers in the history of skiing in these mountains. The resort is equipped with an artificial snow-making system and offers challenging slopes dedicated to the most demanding athletes, a baby slope for children and beginners and several spaces for tobogganing, bobsleighing and snowboarding. Three ski lifts connect the five slopes: one black, two red and two blue. The ski school with FISI instructors and equipment rental are also available on the spot.

SNOWSHOEING

The Orsiera-Rocciavrè massif provides hikers with easy trails that cross the snowy landscape of the Gerardo and Gravio rivers' valleys, following the banks of the Sangone torrent. The routes extend from the watershed of the Orsiera-Rocciavré to the woods of the Susa Valley and Chisone Valley , touching the head of Sangone Valley. The guided paths set up by the Park Authority are provided with notice boards and educational panels illustrating the most important naturalistic and historical issues of the protected area.

For Children

In addition to the many entertainments described above, most of which are suitable for children, there are two specifically dedicated to them.

THE FOREST OF WONDERS

Via Umberto I, 102 – Sant’Ambrogio 0119323021 - boscodellemeraviglie.it – [email protected]

This is a fantastic, interactive route in a real enchanted forest at the foot of the Saint Michael's Sacra . There are all sorts of fantastic creatures such as ogres, fairies and knights, where children will be the protagonists and adults will be children again. It is a forest with no time, where virtue, loyalty and altruism will be the necessary ingredients to face witches, gnomes and werewolves. Three fairy tales to choose from, told inside the forest are "The Ogre's Curse", "The Ransom of the Wolf Werewolf", and for older children at night time "Alda and the Breath of Darkness". Children are accompanied on an equipped path (the emotional park) where they meet and interact with fantastic, legendary, mythological and local history characters. Properly equipped with accessories and costumes at departure, the young guests will enter a forest animated by goblins, talking trees, ogres, werewolves, elves, masche (the local witches), knights and fairies with which they will build the entire route, changing from time to time the outcome of the next encounter thanks to the tools which they will be equipped with: a cloak of invisibility, magic potions, swords and shields. In the last stage, on a large clearing, the experience gained throughout the entire journey will allow you to discover the triumph of good and the power of truth. The journey duration is about three hours.

ZOOM TORINO

Strada Piscina 36 – Cumiana 31 km. from Valgioie, 36 minuts 0119070318 - www.zoomtorino.it

Biopark featuring nine different habitats, from Africa to Asia, where you can watch animals closely and learn the peculiarities of the species thanks to the meetings with the biologists. Younger children will find equipped and safe areas inside the park. They will be able to discover the adventurous paths of the jungle, including hanging bridges, slides, swings, climb on the wooden elephant whose trunk doubles as a slide. You can visit an area reserved for the most docile pets, such as Tibetan goats, Comisian sheep and lambs. It is a unique experience to discover pets and wild animals by closely oberving and interacting with them. You can relax on artificial beaches and swimming pools. It is suitable for disabled people and pushchairs.