Pragelato
Pragelato: the scattered municipality of the High Val Chisone
Hello friends! Today we're talking about Pragelato, a beautiful scattered municipality in the High Val Chisone, located about 82 kilometers west of Turin. With its 737 inhabitants and its hamlets, such as Souchères Basses, La Ruà, Soucheres Hautes, Granges, Rivets, Traverses, Plan, Pattemouche, Villardamond, Allevè, Duc, Chezal, Grand Puy, Faussimagna, Seytes, Troncea, Laval and Jousseaud, Pragelato offers a wide range of scenic and cultural options.
Physical geography
Most of the hamlets are located on the left bank of the Chisone river. However, above the village of Pragelato, on the orographic right of the Val Chisone, the Val Troncea opens up, well conserved and enhanced by the Val Troncea Natural Park.
History
Pragelato boasts a millennium-old history that dates back to prehistoric times. However, the first historical traces date back to the foundation of the Benedictine Abbey of Pinerolo di Santa Maria, at the end of the 11th century. In the following centuries, the municipality experienced the conquest of the Delfini di Vienne and the entry into the French Republic of Escartons.
In the 14th century, Pragelato became an important reference point for the Waldensians, who found refuge on the slopes of Monte Albergian to escape the French troops. In 1747, the Battle of Assietta between France and the Austro-Piedmontese saw the Testa dell'Assietta as the protagonist.
The 19th and 20th centuries, on the other hand, were characterized by a strong migratory flow towards France. The municipality also had to face tragic events, such as the avalanche that destroyed the workers' cabins in the Beth mine, killing 81 people, and the fire that in January 1924 destroyed the houses of almost all 200 residents of Grand Puy.
In 1934, Sestriere was separated from Pragelato and became an autonomous municipality.
Pragelato today
Today Pragelato, since 2010 part of the newly established Mountain Community of Pinerolese, preserves intact its ancient traditions and its natural beauty. The hamlets, composed of characteristic stone and wood houses, pay special attention to agriculture and livestock farming. Thanks to abundant snow, Pragelato is renowned worldwide for its ski slopes, which extend over 200 km.
In summer, outdoor activities are numerous, such as hiking or cycling along the 1,700 km of trails and visiting the Beth mining district, one of the most important in Piedmont. In the hamlets, on the other hand, you can visit Romanesque churches and admire the architectural beauty of historic homes.
Tourism
Pragelato is a destination for tourists from all over the world, especially in winter, who love the feeling of warmth you get when walking through the narrow streets of the town when the mountains are covered in snow. There are also restaurants that offer local cuisine and the opportunity to taste the famous wines produced in Piedmont.
Moreover, the municipality is easy to reach: it is only 1 hour away from Turin airport and a few kilometers from the A32 Torino - Bardonecchia motorway. It is worth visiting Pragelato in every season of the year, for its beauty and its warm welcome.
Conclusions
In conclusion, Pragelato is a Piedmontese municipality with a unique history and beauty, characterized by its hamlets with a particular architectural style and the natural beauties of the Val Troncea. The municipality offers many tourism opportunities, thanks to its ski slopes, its vast historical-artistic heritage and its breathtaking natural environment. Pragelato is an enchanting place that is not easily forgotten.
