Perosa Argentina
Perosa Argentina: a gem in the Cozie Alps
Perosa Argentina is an Italian town located in the Val Chisone valley, in the province of Turin in Piedmont. The town has about 3,131 inhabitants and was part of the Mountain Community of Valli Chisone and Germanasca. In 2010, the community was reconstituted under the name "Mountain Union of Valli Chisone and Germanasca". The union of municipalities includes territories such as Fenestrelle, Inverso Pinasca, Massello, Perrero, Pinasca, Pomaretto, Porte, Prali, Pramollo, Roure, Salza di Pinerolo, San Germano Chisone, Usseaux, and Villar Perosa.
Fernandel and his connection with Perosa Argentina
Perosa Argentina is the birthplace of the parents of French actor Fernandel, known for his portrayal of "Don Camillo". If you travel towards Sestriere, you will come across a sign indicating the hamlet of Coutandin, where Fernandel's house still stands. An insistent voice circulating in the valley indicates that the place is his actual birthplace. Fernandel was brought to France only after his first two/three months of life and was registered as a native of Marseille to obtain French citizenship. The structure is in serious disrepair and has partially collapsed, but is still embellished with a plaque on the facade that indicates it as "Fernandel's house" referring to his possible birthplace there.
Origin of the name Perosa Argentina
The term "Perosa" comes from the word "peira", which in Occitan language means "stone". The modifier "Argentina" indicates that there were formerly silver mines on the slopes of Monte Bocciarda, which is evident when observing the municipal coat of arms, on which three silver stones are featured. Currently, a forest road originating from the hamlet of Serre La Croce leads to the location where the mines were present. Along the same road, you will also come across the suggestive Fountain of the Alpini. There are also rock inscriptions in the area.
Territory and history of Perosa Argentina
Perosa Argentina is nestled in the beautiful setting of the Cozie Alps. The town stands where the Chisone river meets the waters of the Germanasca in the middle stretch of a valley that winds, in a parabola, for about fifty kilometers from Pinerolo to the Sestriere pass. You can see the simple and vigorous silhouette of the church of S. Genesio and its bell tower, which stand on a morainic hill formed by the great glaciations of the Quaternary era.
It is the "rocky site that dominates the surroundings and looks like a military observation post", that Arnaldo Pittavano refers to; it is the fortress on which, around the year 1000, a fortified village arose, a historic center and district still pulsing with the life of a settlement that has gradually expanded over the centuries.
Perosa is mentioned for the first time in a document from September 8th, 1064, with which Countess Adelaide of Savoy granted the Benedictine abbey of S. Michele di Pinerolo the "Borgatum de Perosa" and "Terram Ploia". The village has had a long and troubled history, tied to disputes between the bishopric of Turin, the marquisate of Saluzzo, Savoy, and the Franchi's war against Frederick Barbarossa who had tried to cross the Cozie Alps in 1157.
Places of interest
Perosa Argentina is rich in places of interest. One of them is Monte Bocciarda, 2,905 meters high, which is the highest peak of the Val Chisone. The summit offers a breathtaking panorama, ranging from the Po Valley to the massif of Monte Viso, passing through the Maritime and Cozie Alps.
The municipality also houses the Cave of Stalactites, which was discovered in 1977. It is a limestone cave, with stalactites and stalagmites of different shapes and sizes. Unfortunately, the cave is closed to the public, but you can admire its images through the municipality's website.
In the area, you can also visit several museums, such as the Resistance and Contemporary History Museum, the Maison de l'Alpe, and the Wool Museum.
Local cuisine
The cuisine of Perosa Argentina is a perfect blend of the flavors of the Cozie Alps and those of the Po Valley. Typical dishes include Bagna Cauda, Roasted Chestnuts, Bergamo-style Risotto, Cheesy Polenta, Barolo Braised Beef, and Alpine Sturgeon Bottarga. The cuisine of the area is characterized by the use of local products, such as Perosa potatoes and Porcini mushrooms.
Conclusions
Perosa Argentina is a gem in the Cozie Alps, a place where history, nature, and culture meet, creating a magical and unforgettable atmosphere for visitors. The municipality offers many opportunities for excursions and cultural visits. Its cuisine is renowned and represents an ode to the nature of the territory. Coming to visit it is an experience that is not easily forgotten.
