Things to do in Coazze Italy – what to see attractions and activities

Located in the heart of the historic center of Vaie, the Museum Laboratory of Prehistory offers the visitor the collection of experimental reconstructions and casts of the finds of Vayes. The thematic path, completed by a series of illustrative panels, presents aspects of everyday life in Prehistory, with particular attention to materials, technologies and uses. To learn about prehistoric materials, tools and procedures, numerous workshops are active designed for children and adults, also for people with special needs. In addition, demonstration days and internships for adults take place during the year.

Nestled among the morainic hills and the mouth of the Valle di Susa, it is characterized by three biotypes: the two lakes (Lago Grande and Lago Piccolo), the hills formed during the last ice ages and the swamp of Mareschi. The lakes, where numerous species of fish live, are a favorite destination for birdwatchers. Self-guided activities or along the trails along the trails are supported by an information center, a fishing ecomuseum, maps also available at the Tourist Information Center (+39) 0119311873 - ufficioiat@turismoavigliana.it). Don't forget: Lake Grande is an ideal destination for practicing numerous water sports, such as canoeing, sailing, water skiing. During the summer it is possible to choose one of these activities or simply swim in its clear waters by accessing from one of the beaches indicated on the maps.

On a hill at the entrance of the Valle di Susa, between Mount Pirchiriano and Caprasio, are the remains of a castle. The oldest news not of the building but of a local defensive system would seem to be linked to the clash between the Franks and the Lombards, which took place at the Locks: probably also the relief of the castellazzo was provided of defensive structures that were part of it. Starting from the 13th century, the Castrum Capriarum was the center of one of the abbey Castellanies of San Giusto di Susa and was also the seat of court and prison. For this reason, it normally housed a small number of soldiers.

An extraordinary example of industrial archaeology of the early twentieth century, the Nobel Dynamitificio was built in 1873 on a hill on the edge of the town of Avigliana. Equipped with electricity and an internal railway connected to the Avigliana station, it was equipped with a chemical laboratory and produced, in addition to explosives, chemical intermediates, by-products of processing main, fertilizers and varnishes. During the Last World War the plant was the scene of bombing and partisan actions, and closed its doors in the 1960s. The Nobel Dynamitificio Museum, inaugurated in 2002, is a piece of the collective memory of the territory and testifies to the social and productive transformations that occurred over the years. Unique in its kind, it offers an interactive set-up with videos, documents, explanatory panels, vintage photographs and tools used in the production of explosives. In addition, the Museum provides a visit route that, touching the anti-aircraft shelter for workers, tunnels and burst rooms, allows the visitor to immerse himself totally in the reality of the factory, touching the dangerousness and life difficulties of the workers.

The Castle of Avigliana is one of the oldest castles in Piedmont. Built in the tenth century by the Marquis Arduino III, the Castle stands on top of Mount Pezzulano, overlooking the entire village of Avigliana and its lakes. Conquered by the French in 1536 and, then, again, in 1630, the Castle was definitively destroyed in 1691 by the troops who fought against the army of Vittorio Amedeo II of Savoy. Today, only the external walls remain to testify to its ancient importance.

On the slopes of Mount Musinè, one of the most important extra-urban residential complexes of the Roman era in Piedmont is preserved. The archaeological excavations, conducted since 1979, highlighted a complex spread over an area of about 3000 square meters. What remains is the ground floor of a building that had to extend even on an upper floor, of which only elements remain collapsed after the abandonment of the structure, such as painted plasters and fragments of paving. On the upper terrace the residential — master rooms developed while on the lower floor those of service (kitchens, handouts, warehouses) and servants' quarters. The finds allow dating between the 1st century AD and the 4th century AD, when the structure suffered a fire. The dominant position on a panoramic slope, with the possibility of ranging from Rivoli to the upper valley of Susa, and the accuracy in the construction of walls and finishes make it an example of great interest of manor house, perhaps of a person linked to the management of customs duties that had an exation point a little lower, along the road of Montgenevro, at the statio ad fines Cottii.

The Castle of Milanere is located in the city of Almese, was built in 1338, and was modified in 1500. The building consists of a chapel that makes the castle elegant. It is currently a private building.

The Castle of Camerletto is located on a hill in the Municipality of Caselette. Its construction dates back to the 10th century. The building was renovated preserving the historical and artistic elements. Currently, it is private property.

The Tower of Chianocco, also known by the name the Casaforte di Chianocco, was built in the twelfth century. It is a Romanesque building in good condition and has maintained the original architectural style. The recently restored tower has a square structure and is 19 meters high. Currently, it is a private property and can only be visited on a few days of the year.

The Castle of Chianocco was built in the 13th century in the historic center of the city. It belonged to the Bertrandi family before being the last home of Adelaide di Susa. The fortress has a multi-storey dungeon and a stone entrance portal. Today, inside its rooms there is the Museum of Ancient Crafts.

The Orsiera Rocciavrè Natural Park covers over 11,000 hectares over a large mountainous area that includes part of the upper Val Sangone and part of the ridge that separates the Susa Valley from Val Chisone, beyond to the special nature reserves of the horrids of Foresto and Chianocco. The landscape is characterized by numerous glacial lakes, slopes and ravines carved by water. In the Park it is possible to observe mammals typical of the Alpine habitat, such as chamois, deer and roe deer. Bird lovers will certainly not be disappointed by a visit: there are more than a hundred species. But the Orsiera Park does not only offer wildlife and beautiful landscapes: there are also numerous archaeological traces of the human presence dating back to the Neolithic period. Unlike many other mountain areas in Piedmont, much of this area has remained off the beaten path of mass tourism and still has an almost unspoiled natural habitat, where activity of man is limited to agriculture, forestry and livestock breeding.

53 religious buildings: 5 parish churches, numerous frescoed chapels and votive pylons. The churches and chapels constitute and contain an artistic and architectural heritage of great interest. Info www.barrdonecchia.it

The Museum of Contemporary Art in Milan hosts international exhibitions of contemporary art that fascinate every visitor. The first presentation to the public of the entire heritage of the museum took place in 1978. Inside we can admire works by artists such as: Sol Lewitt, Richard Long, Vanessa Beecroft and Maurizio Cattelan.

The Castello di Rivoli dates back to the eleventh century and represents a fortified structure along the Valsusino route of the Via Francigena. It was built at the behest of the bishops of Turin and almost immediately passed to the Savoy who made it become a jewel of the Crown of Delights complex. The structure of the royal residence and the terraced garden were the work of the Urbinate Francesco Paciotto. The decorations of the rooms that exalted the members of the dynasty were made by painters such as Morazzone and Isidoro Bianchi.

The Orsini Castle was built in 1016. For many centuries it belonged to the Orsini family, from which it also took its name. Nowadays the Castle is the property of the Municipality that has made it open to the public.

The Three Teeth Fort was built in 1692 at the behest of General Catinat on commission from France. The building is named after three rock spikes originally found at the building site. During the 18th century, the so-called Devil's Garitta was also erected, reachable through ramps of side stairs. The structure of the Fort consisted of an aqueduct that went into the mountain taking water from a natural spring.

The Fort of Fenestrelle is a fortified complex built from the 18th to the 19th century in Val Chisone. It is said “The Great Wall of Piedmontese” for its development along the left flank of the valley. The design idea came from Ignazio Bertola who built it with the intent to protect the Italian-French border. The complex was not the site of serious assaults but only the protagonist of minor conflicts and a brief clash during World War II. The structure of the Fort consists of 7 reduced and 3 forts connected together by stairs, ramparts and stands.

Fort San Carlo was built between 1731 and 1789 and represents the best preserved building in the Fort of Fenestrelle complex. Access was through the Royal Gate reserved for nobles, officers and ambassadors. The Officers Pavilion, the Governor's Palace, a church and some warehouses are part of this Fort.

La Reducta Santa Barbara is located at an altitude of 1550 m going up the side of the mountain of the Fort of Fenestrelle. The structure has a truncated pyramidal shape with very thick walls and a square base. It is thought that outside it had a drawbridge from which you could reach the Cannon Road.

Forte delle Valli is a fortified complex built in the 18th century in Val Chisone, province of Turin. It is more commonly called 'the Great Piedmontese Wall', thanks to its greatness. Initially, he had the task of protecting the Italian-French border. From 1946 to 1990 it was abandoned, later restorations began, still underway today. In 1999 it became a symbol of the Province of Turin. In 2007 he was included in the list of the 100 most at risk of international historical archaeological sites, by the World Monuments Fund.