Holiday apartment in Salbertrand: nature, Ecomuseo and village history

Natural setting between the Susa Valley and Gran Bosco

The protected area of Parco Naturale del Gran Bosco di Salbertrand also includes Salbertrand. On the right-hand side of the Susa Valley, it extends through the northern Cottian Alps from 1,000 metres above sea level to the watershed at 2,600 metres. Gran Bosco covers 700 hectares of mixed woodland consisting of silver firs and spruces. The different elevations and the woodland landscape give your stay a clear connection with nature.

Ecomuseo Colombano Romean and circular trail

The Ecomuseo Colombano Romean follows an approximately five-kilometre circular trail between Salbertrand and Gran Bosco nature park. The signposted route is equipped with information panels and extends between the protected area and the old lanes of Salbertrand’s village centre. Along the route are 13 sites currently open to visitors, bringing the natural environment and local history together within one connected excursion area.

The hydraulic mill of the Ecomuseo Colombano Romean is part of the history of hydropower. Its use can be traced back over 800 years, from feudal milling rights to electricity generation. The Ecomuseo also includes an area dedicated to the Glorioso Rimpatrio dei Valdesi.

Frescoes, fountains and historic buildings

The parish church of San Giovanni Battista has three superimposed layers of frescoes created between 1300 and 1500. Its sacristy houses the small parish museum “Tesori della Parrocchiale”, with goldsmith’s work and textiles from the 16th to the 19th century.

In the village centre, a rectangular fountain bears the year 1524 and is known for its period-style decorations. On Piazza San Rocco stands an octagonal fountain bearing the year 1525. The Hotel Dieu, called Maison Dieu, was also located in the town centre. It was a historic hospice for pilgrims and travellers on the medieval “Strada di Francia”.

The Maria Annunziata Chapel is located in the Oulme district. Because of the monumental fresco of Saint Christopher on its façade, it is also known as the Chapel of San Cristoforo; inside are frescoes dating from 1534. The historic picture is completed by the Piedmontese icehouse from the 19th century, considered the last fully preserved example of its kind in the region.

Getting there and choosing your accommodation

Salbertrand can be reached by train via the Torino–Modane line and also by the SAPAV Torino–Briançon bus route. If you are planning a holiday apartment or other accommodation in Salbertrand, you can base your choice of location on your preferred priorities: the nature park and its different elevations, the signposted Ecomuseo circular trail, or the churches, fountains and historic buildings in the village. Trains and buses can be incorporated into your travel plans, as can the question of whether nature experiences or culture should occupy the greater part of your stay.

More destinations for your trip planning

More destinations for your trip planning: Baldissero Torinese, Sciolze, Busano, Lombardore, Mazzè, Beaulard, Valgioie and Cesana Torinese.

To the higher-level travel overview: Turin.