Ala di Stura
Ala di Stura: an Alpine town
Hello friends, today I'll tell you about Ala di Stura, a Piedmontese town located in the metropolitan city of Turin. This mountain village is made up of several hamlets and is located in Val d'Ala, one of the three Lanzo Valleys.
Physical Geography
As I mentioned, the town is located on the banks of the Stura di Lanzo river and the main hamlets are Pertusetto, Mondrone, Prussello (which houses the central square and some hamlets), Martassina, Canova, Croce, Villar and Pian del Tetto. Thanks to the presence of numerous sports facilities, especially for skiing, Ala di Stura is a very popular tourist destination both in summer and winter. In fact, during the summer season, tourists far exceed the 471 inhabitants of the village.
The Mondrone waterfall
Among the natural attractions of the town, the Mondrone waterfall, also known as "Gorgia", formed by the Stura di Lanzo, stands out. The waterfall consists of two falls: the first is 10 meters high and is located at the end of a narrow gorge, while the second is 65 meters high.
Origin of the name
The name of the town has several hypotheses about its origin. Some believe it derives from the Celtic word "all", which means "high", while others think it is related to the shape of the peaks surrounding the town. However, the most reliable origin seems to be the one that derives it from the Piedmontese word "ala", which means "porch" or "covered roof intended for meetings".
The history
The origins of Ala di Stura date back to the early Middle Ages, although they are not known precisely. It is known that the town belonged to the bishopric of Turin, which had given it in emphyteusis to the Monastery of San Mauro. In 1341, it passed under the control of the Dukes of Savoy and was given in fief to various families over the centuries.
The history of Ala di Stura follows that of the Lanzo Valleys, which became a tourist attraction thanks to the interest of Marchesa Giulia Falletti di Barolo and Luigi Cibrario, historian and minister. In 1873, the construction of a railway that connected Ceres to Turin prompted the town to offer a telegraph service and, in the following year, to install electricity.
Despite these developments, the inevitable phenomenon of depopulation also affected Ala di Stura, like many other Alpine valleys.
I hope with this information you have discovered a little more about this small Alpine town. If you are looking for a peaceful place immersed in nature, Ala di Stura is definitely an excellent choice.
