Description of the attraction
The Natural Park "Orsiera Rocchavre" consists of the alpine zone of the same name, lying between the valleys of Val di Susa, Quizone and Sangone, and the arid regions of Orrido di Chianocco and Orrido di Foresto in Val di Susa.
"Orsiera Rocchavre" stretches in the highlands between four peaks that rise to the sky to a height of 2800 meters (Monte Orsiera, Rocca Nera, Punta Cristallina and Punto della Gavia). In the central and eastern parts of the park, you can find several lakes of glacial origin - Chardonnay, La Mania, Lago Soprano, Lago Sottano, etc. And the southeastern part with its outcrops of green rocks is distinguished by lush shrub vegetation. In general, the park's vegetation is very interesting, since it is distributed at different heights, and the three valleys of the park differ in their climatic and soil conditions.
Of the sights of Orsier Rochchavre, it is worth highlighting the Shantho cave, in which semi-nomadic tribes of hunters and shepherds lived 2, 5 thousand years before the birth of Christ. Archaeological excavations carried out here in 1983 brought to light hand-made objects from animal bones, processed stones and fragments of pottery. The rocky surface of the cave is literally strewn with depressions dug in the rock, the purpose of which remains a mystery. Other monuments of history and architecture deserve attention - the forts of Fenestrelle and San Moritio, the Carthusian monastery of Monte Benedetto, numerous chapels, sacred places and refuge.
"Orrido di Chianocco", covering an area of 26 hectares in the municipality of the same name, was founded to protect the only holly habitat in Piedmont. This part of the park is notable for the Kyanokko gorge, which is about 10 meters wide and about 50 meters deep, formed by the course of the Prebek River. In general, the entire course of this river is replete with interesting landscapes and unique ecosystems.
Another cluster of the park "Orsiera Rocchavre" - the Orrido di Foresto site - was founded to protect the thickets of red juniper. It covers an area of 200 hectares in the municipalities of Bussoleno and Susa. Here, too, you can find a beautiful gorge, which was formed by the Rocchamelone River. The small area between Orrido di Foresto and Mompantero is literally dotted with rock carvings. Other attractions include the Pra Katine Nature and Environmental Education Center, the Resistance Movement Ecomuseum, the REA Botanical Gardens and the Coazze Ethnographic Museum.
