Salbertrand between Gran Bosco and cultural heritage

Salbertrand can be explored from two perspectives: Gran Bosco Nature Park shapes the landscape, while the fountains, churches and sites of the Colombano Romean Ecomuseum offer insights into the area’s cultural heritage.

Natural surroundings and walking route

The Parco Naturale del Gran Bosco di Salbertrand also includes Salbertrand. It stretches along the right-hand side of the Susa Valley in the northern Cottian Alps, from 1,000 metres above sea level to the watershed at 2,600 metres. The protected area includes 700 hectares of mixed forest of silver firs and spruces. The information on location and elevation describes the natural setting in which the village lies.

The Colombano Romean Ecomuseum offers a signposted circular route with information panels. It runs between the protected area and the old lanes in the centre of Salbertrand. The route is about five kilometres long and leads between Salbertrand and Gran Bosco Nature Park; 13 sites that are currently open to visitors lie along the way. This brings the natural surroundings and the village’s history together on one route. The signs and panels provide directions to the stops along the way.

Fountains, hospice and frescoes

In the village centre, two fountains are distinguished by their shapes and dates. A rectangular fountain bears the year 1524 and is known for its period-typical decorations. The octagonal fountain in Piazza San Rocco bears the date 1525. Both are therefore among the village’s dated historical features; only the description of the rectangular fountain specifically mentions its decorations.

The Hotel Dieu, also known as Maison Dieu, was a historic hospice for pilgrims and travellers in the village centre. It stood on the medieval “Strada di Francia”. Its name and former function point to a different period from that of the fountains: the hospice belongs to the history of travellers on this road, not to present-day accommodation.

In the parish church of San Giovanni Battista, three layers of frescoes overlap, dating from between 1300 and 1500. The sacristy houses the small parish museum “Tesori della Parrocchiale”, with goldsmiths’ and textile works from the 16th to the 19th century. The frescoes and collection thus bring together different periods in the same church.

In the hamlet of Oulme stands the Maria Annunziata Chapel, which has long also been called the Chapel of San Cristoforo because of the monumental fresco of Saint Christopher on its façade. Inside are frescoes dating from 1534. Another historic feature is the 19th-century Piedmontese icehouse, considered the last fully preserved example of its kind in the region.

Hydropower and cultural themes

The Colombano Romean Ecomuseum includes a hydraulic mill. It tells the story of 800 years of hydropower use, from feudal milling rights to electricity generation. It thus adds a long history of development to the route, encompassing both earlier uses and the later generation of electricity. Another section of the Ecomuseum is devoted to the Glorioso Rimpatrio dei Valdesi.

Getting there and choosing your destination

Salbertrand can be reached by train on the Torino–Modane line. The SAPAV Torino–Briançon bus service also goes to Salbertrand. Check the timetables for both services before your trip. When choosing a hotel in Salbertrand, you can first decide whether you want your stay to focus on the nature park and walking route or on the historic fountains, churches and Ecomuseum sites.

Discover more destinations: Borgofranco D'ivrea, San Mauro Torinese, Montaldo Torinese, Germagnano, Nole, San Giusto Canavese, Venaria Reale, Maddalena.

For the main travel overview: Turin.