Pontechianale is the most westerly municipality of the Varaita Valley, situated shortly before the French border. It consists of some centres and numerous small hamlets above and below the artificial lake of Castello.
Under the rule of the bishops of Turin it was a fief of the Signori di Pont (12th century). It was then affiliated to Casteldelfino and Brossasco and shared their fate. In 1190 it came under the domination of the Margraves of Saluzzo, where it remained until the whole territory was annexed by the Savoyards. In 1743 it was the scenery of the battles between the Savoyard and the Franco-Hispanic troops.
In Chianale, a small gem of the upper valley (see picture below), that has recently been included to the circuit “The Prettiest Villages of Italy,” we find the small church of Saint Anthony. It is of Romanesque-Gothic origin and presents a magnificent steeple with a stepped gable and a cycle of frescos recently brought to light, dating from the first half of the 15th century. An altar made of polychrome wood decorates the apse of the parish church of Saint Lawrence.
Pontechianale is both a summer and a winter resort, with good tourist and sports facilities. Further economic resources are stock-breeding, forestry and agriculture.
On occasion of the saints’ days men, women and children can be admired in their traditional costumes.
Particularly interesting is the female dress, typically made of black wool – even the bridal one - with three big folds at the back and it is straight without tightening at the waist. It is adorned with an apron or a shawl made of cotton or wool, of silk for the brides, and always very colourful. The hood (la béro) is also very precious, the brim consisting of a broad bobbin lace work that has been made using up to several hundred bobbins. The Museum of Costumes in the rooms of the old Capuchin mission of Chianale displays a splendid collection.
The saints’ days, where the costumes are displayed, do always have a religious part with the Holy Mass, the Procession with the costumes and the auction, a public sale, whose proceeds are bestowed on the chapels. The secular part consists of various entertainments, games and the inevitable dance in the evening.
In the district Castello the Museum of the Furniture of the Upper Varaita Valley excites particular curiosity. It displays an interesting collection of antique furniture as well as thematic exhibitions that vary every year. Furthermore, Castello and Villaretto are excellent starting points for hikes in the Alevè Forest and to its lakes Bagnour and Secco.
Additional Informations Altitude: 1614 m
Weekly market: Tuesdays
Distance from Cuneo: 66 km
Residential centres and districts: Castello, Chianale, Maddalena, Villaretto
Patron saints: Saint Mary Magdalene (July 22) and Saint Lawrence (August 10)
Sport centres: indoor soccer fields, tennis, volleyball (district Maddalena)
Services: bancomat, pharmacy (summer), rest area for campers, children’s playground, picnic area (district Maddalena)
Summer sports: hiking, mountain-biking, biking, rock climbing, horseback riding, windsurfing and e canoeing, fishing
Winter sports: cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, ski alpinism, snow-shoeing, ice climbing
Municipality: tel. +39 0175/95.01.74
Tourist office: chalet Piazza S. Caterina (open in the summer)
