Discover Vidracco: Damanhur, Torre Cives and Lago Gurzia

Vidracco brings together Damanhur, local history and nature. Its attractions and trails offer contrasting experiences, from underground rooms and a medieval tower to an artificial lake and barren hills.

Damanhur and its remarkable rooms

The Sala della Terra in the Damanhur complex lies 30 metres underground. Two circular rooms together form the symbol of infinity. Damanhur’s one-day visitor programme includes a guided visit to the Bosco Sacro, including a walk through the large stone energy circles of the Temple of Vegetation.

Booking is required before arrival for a visit or experience at Damanhur. Check-in for the standard tour is at the Welcome Center at Damanhur Crea, Via Baldissero 21, in Vidracco (TO). Damanhur offers parking at DamanhurCrea in Vidracco. Since operational details may change, check the information about check-in and parking before you arrive.

Towers, coins and church history

Torre Cives stands on the highest hill of the Monti Pelati. The tower dates from the 12th century and was probably built to guard and defend the Valchiusella area. Five Byzantine gold coins were discovered there during archaeological excavations in 1956. Known as the “Tesoretto” di Torre Cives, they are now kept at the Museo Archeologico di Torino.

The cemetery church of San Giorgio offers another historical trace. Its floor plan appears to date from the 17th century. A map from 1744 suggests that the chapel had already been remodelled around the middle of the 18th century. These tentative dates distinguish between the presumed origin of the floor plan and the possible later remodelling.

Barren hills and water at Lago Gurzia

The Monti Pelati nature reserve covers about 146 hectares on the right-hand bank, in the direction of the river’s flow, of the Torrente Chiusella, between Baldissero Canavese, Vidracco and Castellamonte. The hills are unusually barren and almost devoid of vegetation. Their appearance is mainly due to the type of rock and erosion caused by rainfall. For the European stonechat, rock bunting and Sardinian warbler, the Monti Pelati are the only known breeding site in the Canavese area.

Lago Gurzia, also called Lago di Vidracco, is an artificial lake. It was created by a simple 50-metre-high arch dam built in 1922 on the Torrente Chiusella, just below its confluence with the Savenca. Below the lake, overflow water plunges into a gorge as a tall waterfall. The waterfall is particularly impressive during periods of high water.

Trails by the lake and in the Monti Pelati

The Lago Gurzia area has walking paths and small equipped areas. On foot, they connect with the hiking trails within the protected area. The level Sentiero dell’uomo runs for two kilometres along the lake. Birdwatching hides cater to ornithology enthusiasts, while information boards explain the local flora and fauna.

The municipal Torre Cives and Riserva Monti Pelati loop starts at the car park of San Rocco church. It covers three kilometres and 100 metres of elevation gain, reaching Monte Cives at an altitude of 581 metres. Another option is the 600-metre Touch and Go trail, which leads from the San Rocco chapel to Torre Cives in the Riserva Naturale dei Monti Pelati nature reserve. It was designed for visitors with visual impairments. For planning your outing, you can compare the distances, elevation gains and destinations directly; each trail has its own description and highlights.

Traditional crafts in the former mill

The fully restored former mill in Vidracco has been established as the home of the Ecomuseo dell’acqua e degli antichi mestieri, which is currently being developed. The first floor houses a small museum of traditional crafts, displaying objects once used in everyday life. The collection described includes stone millstones for corn, wheat and chestnuts, as well as an area devoted to processing hemp into yarn for textiles or ropes.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: La Loggia, Viù, Cantalupa, Sauze D'oulx, Airasca, Monfol, San Giusto Canavese, Caluso.

For the broader travel overview: Turin.