Ala Di Stura: Sundials, Cultural Heritage and Trails
Accommodation in Ala Di Stura
Ala di Stura offers a range of themes to help you plan a stay: historic buildings and artworks, sundials, riverside trails and nature spots. There is also a natural ice rink and a farm shop selling cheese made on site. If you are looking for a hotel in Ala di Stura, you can focus your trip on your interests and choose how to balance culture, outdoor activities and local products.
Sundials and Historic Sites
Ala di Stura has around 76 sundials and is known as the “Comune delle Meridiane” (Municipality of Sundials). The theme also features at individual stops on the walking routes: on the Martassina route, the Church of San Michele has a south-facing sundial that was restored in 2004. This brings together the approximate number of sundials in the town and a specific example along the route.
Another important stop on the historical and cultural routes is the Torre della Dogana. The twelve-metre-high building once served as a customs house and is decorated with frescoes of coats of arms and Savoia ornamentation. Following its restoration in 2006, the tower became one of the key stops on Ala di Stura’s routes. Its former function, height and decorative motifs each provide a distinct connection to the town’s history.
The Parish Church of San Nicola Vescovo also has several notable historical features: it is a 4th-century church, with a 16th-century painting and a Lombard-style bell tower. This site brings together different elements—the date of the church, a painting created later and the architectural style of the tower.
In the hamlet of Villar there is a fresco dated 1577 and attributed to Perini. It depicts the Trinity, the Madonna and Child, and Saint Maurice. On the Mondrone route, there is a depiction of the Flight into Egypt, painted by Andrea Bogliano in 1876.
Riverside Trails and Nature Spots
The Ala di Stura–Balme–Pian della Mussa environmental trail runs along the Stura di Lanzo river and connects to an extensive network of trails. It offers a distinct option for travellers interested in the river and links to other trails.
The Sentiero Pian delle Masche offers another specific route description. It leads from the Santuario di Martassina to Ala di Stura, passing alpine pastures, forests, clearings and streams. Its named starting point and destination distinguish it from the environmental trail, whose description highlights the river and connections to the wider network.
The Gorgia di Mondrone is a nature spot in its own right: a waterfall in LocalitĂ TomĂ in Ala di Stura. Together with the trails described above, it offers a selection of different nature experiences: a riverside route, a trail through varied landscapes and a named waterfall. These places and route descriptions can help you better define your travel interests.
More Ways to Plan Your Stay
The La Giaseri natural ice rink is not equipped with a refrigeration system and is intended for ice skating, hockey and broomball. If you would like to plan around its public opening hours, you should confirm them directly.
For a taste of local cheesemaking, visit the farm shop of Formaggeria CĂ du Roc in Pian della Pietra, Ala di Stura. You can buy cheeses made on site directly there.
Whether you are interested in sundials and artworks, a route through forests and alpine pastures, the waterfall, the natural ice rink or the farm shop, these themes offer different ways to explore Ala di Stura. Use them as a guide when planning your stay and looking for a hotel at your destination.
Discover more destinations: Bibiana, Borgaro Torinese, Settimo Torinese, Chiomonte, Sauze D'oulx, San Giorgio Canavese, Vistrorio, Sciolze
For the broader travel guide: Turin.
