Surroundings of the Villa
The images are taken from the ATL2 Montagnedoc file.
TOURISM
SPORT
TOWN OF ARTISTIC INTEREST
Pinerolo city of charm, Olympic site "Turin 2006":
Only 2 Km far from Villa Doria, The “Nizza” of Piedmont, as defined by E. De Amicis to recall the mild and temperate climate of the little town.
A gorgeous old town walking up the hill of St. Maurice with its ancient city streets offering a magnificent sight on the Piedmontese country and where it is possible to retrace the places of the prison of "The Iron Mask."
Other places of interest are:
- The National Museum of the Cavalry, it is an enchanting journey into four centuries of history of the Italian cavalry.
- The cathedral of San Donato (XI century).
- The Palace of the Senate (XV century) ancient seat of the senate of Pinerolo.
Turin city of artistic interest, “Winter Olympics 2006" capital:
Only 30 km of highway away from Villa Doria, The city of Turin is rich of history and gives a chance to visit countless museums, among them we recall: the Egyptian Museum, the Chapel of the Holy Shroud, the Gallery of Savoy and the Royal Armoury, the Museum of the Cinema housed in the Mole Antonelliana, the Gallery of Modern art and the temporary expositions of Bricherasio Palace.
If the chocolate is the food of the gods, then Turin is their chosen dwelling: no other city can boast such a deep rooted tradition, so creative craftsmen and such a widespread passion for the pleasures of life. The gianduiotti, the choc-ice, the filled pralines, the hot chocolate drink, the fragrant cakes and the “Bicerin” are waiting for you; you can taste them amid the precious furniture of some historical coffees of the city.
www.turismotorino.org
CASTLES AND STRONGHOLDS:
There are many castles that rise in the surroundings, with possibility of visits, among the other ones we recall: Stupinigi, Racconigi, La Manta.
The stronghold of Finestrelle deserves to be mentioned, also called The Great Piedmontese Wall: a visitable military stronghold where it is possible to climb up the longest staircase in Europe, 4.000 steps that wind in an artificial gallery, almost 2 km long.
www.fortedifenestrelle.com
More information on www.montagnedoc.it
MUSEUM
Pinerolo and its valleys are territories rich in history and culture passed on from generation to generation thanks to the rich museum system that has kept developing little by little, among the other ones we recall:
- At Pinerolo: the Museum of Prehistoric Art, the Picture Gallery, The National Museum of the Cavalry, the Museum of Diocesan Art.
- At Torre Pelice: the economic-historical museum of the Waldesian valleys.
- At Luserna The Museum of Toys
- At Frossasco The Museum of Taste
- At Prali the eco-museum “SCOPRIMINIERA” (DISCOVERTHEMINE) in a typical alpine landscape in the heart of the Waldensian and Occitan valleys, about three km of disused galleries have been fit out for the visitors entrance. (www.scopriminiera.it)
More information on www.montagnedoc.it
ABBEYS AND MONASTERIES
Among the numerous religious buildings, existing on the territory, we cite:
- The Sacra of San Michele , that rises on the top of the Pirchiriano mountain, at the entrance of the Valley of Susa, was founded around 980 (www.sacradisanmichele.it).
- The abbey of Staffarda founded in the first half of the XII century thanks to the work of the Cistercian Monks.
- The abbey of Novalesa, founded in 726 it still houses a congregation of Benedictines devoted to the restoration of sacred books.
- The Abbey of Santa Maria and church of San Verano at Abbadia Alpina built in 1064 due to countess Adelaide will.
More information on www.montagnedoc.it
GOURMET FOOD AND WINE
The ancient country tradition of the Pinerolo valleys proposes the products of the agriculture that grow plentiful in the lowland, a cooking made of ancient tastes bound to genuine products among which we remember:
The agnolotti, the fondue, the mixed fry, the polenta, the mostardelle, the tomini of Talucco, the bread cooked in the ancient firewood ovens, the bagna caoda, the anchovies “al verde”, the brushwood mushrooms, sweets and liqueurs made of herbs, you can taste all this and still more in the typical restaurants of our valleys.
More information on www.montagnedoc.it
SPORT
- SKIING
Villa Doria is only 40 km far from Sestriere and 30 km from Pragelato, two known skiing places, both Olympic sites of "Turin 2006."
Sestriere: it rises at 2035 meters on the homonym hill bridging Val Chisone and the Valley of Susa at few kilometres from France. It was selected as scene of great sporting events, like the World Championships of Skiing in '97 and the Winter Olympics in 2006 it offers 400 km of ski runs to the skiers, 89 ski tows and the possibility to ski at nighttimes with the floodlights. A skiing district called "Milky Way" that reaches up to Montgènevre and beyond in France.
For the lovers of cross-country skiing 10 km of trails for cross-country skiing are the frame of the open air ice rinks for ice-skating.
Pragelato: It was a competition place for the Olympic games of year 2006 (jumping and cross country skiing.) Today Pragelato offers a small but good skiing district to the tourist, equipped with 7 ski tows and ski runs suitable for every type of skier, also the hardest to please. Here you can find, besides the alpine ski, good trails for the cross country skiing and an ice rink for ice skating.
GOLF
There are 5 Golf Clubs within easy reach: Sestriere, Claviere, Avigliana, Bardonecchia and Cavour.
More information on www.montagnedoc.it
- MOUNTAINEERING AND CLIMBING
There are many opportunities of alpine excursions, among the most interesting we cite:
- Roca Sbarua, ascensions from the refuge Melano.
- Rognosa del Sestriere, climb between the valleys of Susa and Chisone.
- Rocciavrè: climb through both the valleys of Chisone and Susa.
- Rocciamelone, climb through the southwest wall from the Valley of Susa.
- Barifreddo, ascension on the peak.
- Bric Boucer- Bucie: ascension between the valleys Pellice and Germanasca.
- Cristalliera, ascension in Chisone Valley.
- Orsiera: ascension to the Orsiera mountain from the hill of Chardonnet
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MOUNTAIN BIKE
There are several routes signalled in all the communes of the Pinerolo area and the neighbouring valleys, both in lowland along historical paths and in mountain suitable for the ones who prefer the contact with the nature. To display them in detailed way we recommend you to visit (www.montagnedoc.it)
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HORSE RIDING
Pinerolo is known in the whole world for his ancient and famous school of horseback riding connected to the name of Federico Caprilli.
It is possible to get lesson in the Caprilli Riding School or you may take a walk on horse back or in carriage in the country.
- CURLING
Pinerolo is the centre of one of the most modern and equipped curling ice-stadiums at international level, where the competitions of the Olympics and Paralympics of Turin 2006 were performed.
