Together with Pontechianale Bellino is the highest municipality of the valley.
As part of the Comitato di Auriate it came under the domination of the Margraves of Saluzzo towards the end of the 12th century. In 1278 the Margraves gave it as a fief to the Signori di Venasca but kept the jurisdiction. In 1601, with the treaty of Lyon, it was annexed to the dominion of the Savoyards and shared their fate. In 1744 it was destroyed during the battle between the Piedmonts and the Franco-Hispanics. Of the medieval period only the parish church of Saint James in the district Chiesa has survived.
The economy is based on alpine agriculture with the cultivation of rye, barley and potatoes. The wide-stretched alpine pastures favour an extensive stock-breeding (bovine and ovine).
Of particular interest is the rich heritage of sundials, recently restored and included in a suggestive and fascinating itinerary. The museum in the district Celle is dedicated especially to time and the sundials.
OBSERVATORY
The observatory is situated at Mai di Brun in the district Celle. It was build for cultural, didactic and popular scientific purposes, completing the project of the re-evaluation of the old sundials.
For information: Comune di Bellino, tel. 0175/95.110
Additional Informations Altitude: 1576 m
Distance from Cuneo: 66 km
Residential centres and main districts: Celle, Chiesa, Chiazale, Pleyne, Posterle, Prafauchier, Ribiera, S. Anna,
Patron saints: Saint James (July 25) and The Holy Ghost (first Sunday after Lent)
Sport centres: Boccia court
Services: children’s playground (Fontanile village)
Summer sports: hiking, mountain-biking, biking, rock climbing, fishing
Winter sports: cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, ski alpinism, snow-shoeing, ice climbing
Municipality: tel. +39 0175/95.110
