Curien
Edited by:
Massimo Martini
Introduction
Hidden amidst the coniferous forests and alpine pastures of the Val d'Ayas, the village of Curien is a jewel of rural architecture perched at 1,240 metres in the municipality of Brusson. Overlooking the mid-valley, it enjoys a privileged position between the Évançon stream and the slopes of Monte Zerbion (2,719 m), with a breathtaking view of the peaks of Monte Rosa. Surrounded by centuries-old larch groves and flower-filled meadows, the village retains the authentic atmosphere of mountain life, far from the beaten tourist track.
Description
The name Curien may derive from the Valle d'Aosta patois, perhaps linked to the word "coréun" (small enclosure), recalling the traditional terracing for agriculture or cattle breeding. The earliest historical traces date back to the Middle Ages, when the village was a crossroads for shepherds and merchants crossing the hills to the neighbouring valleys. Its stone and wooden houses, with their characteristic slate roofs, bear witness to centuries of adaptation to the Alpine environment, with stables and barns built using earthquake-proof techniques. A curiosity is the presence of ancient communal ovens, still used on special occasions to bake black rye bread.