This agricultural centre and resort of the upper valley is situated in a hollow, where the valleys of Chianale and Bellino converge.
Known since the 10th century under the name of S. Eusebio, is was part of cisalpine possessions of the Dauphiné of Vienne. In 1330 Humbert II, the last Dauphin, built a castle (Castrum Delphini), from which the village derived its new name when it started becoming populated (1431). In the 16th century it was profoundly plagued by the religious conflicts during the spread of the Waldensians. Later, the Savoyards defeated the French in 1628 during the war of succession of the Monferrato. With the Treaty of Utrecht (1713) Casteldelfino was annexed to the Kingdom of Sardinia and in 1743 it was the scene for the bloody battles between the Piedmonts and the Franco-Hispanics.
Only ruins of the castle remain; below them we find the chapel of Saint Eusebius with a steeple with stepped gable (14th century). At the entrance of the village a quadrangular tower flanks the parish church that is dedicated to Saint Margaret.
The typical alpine economy is based on stock-breeding and forestry. With its beautiful panoramic position and its elevation Casteldelfino is a starting point for hikes, especially to the Alevè Forest, and for ascents up the mountains Monviso, Pelvo and Salsa. There is an ethnographical museum, the visitor centre Alevè and the documentary centre I Santi del Popolo (The Saints of the People).
Additional Informations Altitude: 1296 m
Distance from Cuneo: 60 km
Residential centres and main districts: Alboin, Bertines, Caldane, Torrette
Patron saint: Saint Margaret, first Sunday of July
Sport centres: indoor soccer fields, tennis, volleyball (Casermette); Boccia court
Services: bank (Thursday mornings); pharmacy (Thursday mornings), children’s playground (Ibac); picnic area (Ibac and Torrette)
Summer sports: hiking, mountain-biking, biking, rock climbing, fishing
Winter sports: cross-country skiing, ski alpinism, snow-shoeing, ice climbing, ice skating
Weekly market: Thursdays
Municipality: tel. +39 0175/95.126
Spazio Escarton: tel +39 0175/95.369 – +39 0175/46505; casteldelfino@parcodelpo.cn.it
