Caselette

Access

The connection with Turin and Susa is guaranteed by an efficient road network; the town is accessible via the nearby Susa Valley road and enjoys a privileged position for those who wish to live between the city and the mountains. The nearest airport is Turin-Caselle, which is well connected to the area.

.

Introduction

Caselette is a municipality located at the foot of Mount Musinè, in the metropolitan city of Turin, in Piedmont, about twelve kilometres from the regional capital. Dominated by morainic reliefs and a geological composition rich in serpentine, gneiss, limestone and micaschists, the territory is characterised by a sunny and panoramic position, squeezed between the Dora Riparia and the imposing presence of the mountain. The altitude of the centre is about 350 metres above sea level, while the municipal surface area reaches 14.22 km². Caselette is traditionally considered a totally mountainous town, with an inland hill zone and a very low seismic classification.

Description

The town of Caselette is distinguished by its antiquity: archaeological excavations between the Cave and Lago Superiore localities have documented human presence as early as the end of the Bronze Age; in Roman times, the site was affected by agricultural settlements along the Via delle Gallie, traces of which remain in the villa rustica near the magnesite quarries. In the Middle Ages, thanks to its strategic position on the Alpignano-Pianezza-Turin routes and towards the Val della Torre, the municipality was a point of transit and defence of mountain pastures, as well as the scene of disputes between neighbouring communities and the lords who succeeded one another in governing the territory. The castle of Caselette, one of the oldest in the Susa valley, was built in the Arduin era (11th century) and changed hands between the Savoys, the Marquises of Monferrato, the lords of Trofarello and Cumiana, Valperga, Cauda, and finally the Counts Cays of Pierlas. Historical figures include Carlo Alberto Cays, mayor and deputy, who hosted St. John Bosco and donated the castle to the Salesians.
The municipality today has about 3,030 inhabitants - known as Caselettesians - and is divided between the historic centre, the Village and some hamlets. The main economic activities include housing, agriculture, some small industries and a growing focus on environmental resources and excursion tourism. The agricultural tradition dates back to Roman times and the territorial structure centred on water and mountain resources. In the present, a balance is maintained between urban expansion and the protection of natural spaces. Recent projects invest in digitisation, schools, enterprise, infrastructure and ecological transition, testifying to a lively participation in local development programmes.
Culturally, Caselette is known for the Cays Castle, the Roman villa and the history of the lakes, now reduced to a single basin, a memory of the territory's progressive environmental evolution. Patronal festivals and local events keep traditions alive, flanked by a dynamic associative fabric that enhances historical and environmental knowledge. The municipality is a member of the Rete dei Comuni Solidali, confirming a vocation for cooperation and social sustainability.
The area offers fine views and hiking opportunities on the moraines, in the woods and towards the Musinè, with trails suitable for both nature lovers and history buffs. Naturalistic points of interest include the hilly area, glacial formations and paths around the town; curiosities include the presence of originally multiple lakes and the significant geological wealth.

Information

Area: 14.31 sq km
Altitude: 350m
Maximum elevation:
 Number of inhabitants: 2881
Name in dialect: Caslëtte
Inhabitant Name:Caselettese
Patron Saint:
Website: www.comune.caselette.to.it
Webcam:
Neighbouring municipalities: Almese, Alpignano, Avigliana, Buttigliera Alta, Rivoli, Rosta, Val della Torre