Valprato Soana: San Besso, Piamprato and Cultural Attractions

San Besso at the Upper End of the Valley

The Santuario di San Besso is located at the upper end of the Campiglia Soana Valley, at an altitude of 2,019 metres at the foot of Monte Fantono. The very old place of worship is situated beside a rock face that may already have been the object of worship in pre-Christian times. The altitude of 2,019 metres should also be taken into account when planning the route to the Santuario.

Routes to the Santuario di San Besso

If you walk from Campiglia to the Santuario di San Besso, the journey takes about an hour and a half. The route initially follows an unpaved section of the former royal hunting road and then continues along an easy trail. A longer and particularly scenic route also leads there from Piamprato. For the route from Campiglia, you should factor the approximately one-and-a-half-hour walking time and the changing terrain into your tour planning. The terrain is particularly relevant to footwear and the schedule of a hike on this route.

Church and Symbols in the Main Settlement

The parish church Parrocchiale di San Silverio is located in the main settlement of Valprato Soana. The church is dedicated to San Silverio and has a Sator Square palindrome in front of the entrance, also known as the “Quadrato magico di Pompei”.

Traces of Everyday Life in Piamprato

“Lo Prà: tra storia, memoria e natura” is an ethnocultural open-air educational trail through the streets of Piamprato. Along the trail, information panels, historical photographs and stories explain life in Piamprato.

Campiglia: Agriculture and the Environment

The “L’uomo e i coltivi” visitor centre in Campiglia Soana presents the history of local agriculture and the relationship between people and the natural environment. For an outdoor area of approximately 2,500 m², the creation of educational trails with information panels was planned from autumn 2017 and throughout 2018. The cultivation of traditional crops from the park valleys was also planned, taking account of vegetation cycles and good agricultural practice.

Routes, Wildlife and Climbing

The Campiglia–San Besso–Grange Arietta route crosses the plateaus of Azaria. In spring, one of the largest concentrations of chamois in the entire park can be observed there; marmots are also relatively easy to spot. The seventh stage of the Giroparco leads from San Besso in Valprato Soana towards Piamprato via the Colle della Borra and on to the remains of a small nearby mine. For sport climbing, Gran Paradiso National Park recommends the climbing wall at Pianprato. If you choose the route because of the wildlife observations, you should take the spring season into account when planning your tour.

Winter in Piamprato

Piamprato is a small ski resort offering numerous winter sports activities as well as relaxing days in the snow.

Feast Day at the Santuario del Beirano

Every year on 5 August, the Santuario del Beirano celebrates the feast in honour of the Madonna della Neve.

Other destinations: Bardonecchia, Sauze Di Cesana, Sestriere, Ruà, Fenestrelle, Chiesanuova, Susa, Caprie

For the higher-level travel overview: Turin.