Description of the attraction
"The meeting point of ecosystems" - this is the name of the natural park "Colle del Lis", located between the Italian valleys of Val di Susa and Val di Viu. The park has long attracted wildlife lovers: first of all, they are attracted by the mesmerizing landscapes - the plains to the north of Turin, the territory of the Cunez plains and the so-called Maritime Alps - Alpi Marittime. And the location of the park at the intersection of important migration routes has made it a favorite resting place for numerous birds. However, nature is not the only wealth of Colle del Lis. In these places, some important historical events unfolded - in particular, it was here that the "cradle" of the Piedmont resistance movement was located during the Second World War. A monument was erected here in memory of the 2024 partisans who died in the war for the liberation of Italy. And here and today you can see ancient monuments of culture and architecture, for example, the 17th century monastery of Madonna della Bassa.
The territory of the Colle del Lis park stretches between the municipalities of Rubiana and Viu at an altitude of 1013 to 1599 meters above sea level. Heather wastelands, beech groves, rowan and ash thickets are mixed here. Deciduous forests are found at low altitudes above sea level and on the slopes of Viu, while conifers are represented here by European larch, black pine, spruce, white fir and common pine.
During the Second World War, Italy was liberated from enemies, including thanks to the partisan movement, which originated here in the Piedmont mountains. In memory of those events, an ecomuseum was opened in 2000 at the initiative of the Colle del Lis Association and the provincial government of Turin. Its main task is to familiarize tourists not only with the ecological features of the park, but also with the historical and cultural heritage of its territory. The ecomuseum hosts thematic seminars and exhibitions, and it itself serves as a kind of information point for the four valleys - Sousa, Lanzo, Kizone and Sangone. Some mountain routes also start from here. And every year in July, an event is held here in memory of the partisans who died at the hands of the Nazis in 1944.
