Ribordone

Access

Coming to Ribordone means entering the unspoilt atmosphere of Piedmont's Highlands. Road access is from the Orco valley, along the provincial road from Sparone or Locana. The distance from Turin is about 57 km. The town hall is located in the hamlet of Gabbadone and can be reached via the mountain road network, which winds its way through hairpin bends and picturesque landscapes; there are unattended car parks in the area. There are no railway stations or airports in the municipality itself: the reference point for public transport remains Turin Porta Susa station, while the nearest airport is Turin Caselle. An extra-urban bus service connects Sparone to Turin, allowing transfer to local cars for the final stretch.

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Introduction

Ribordone is a small alpine municipality located in the Orco Valley, within the Gran Paradiso National Park, in the Metropolitan City of Turin. The territory develops in a typical mountain environment, with broadleaf and coniferous forests and high-altitude pastures, offering particularly evocative views; the panorama is dominated by peaks exceeding three thousand metres, such as those of the Gran Paradiso chain. Ribordone is home to numerous scattered hamlets, including Gabbadone (where the town hall is located), Ceresa, Verlucca and Prascondù, immersed in an intact and wild nature, characterised by streams, valleys and habitats of naturalistic interest.

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Description

The area is historically known for its proximity to Alpine routes and the presence of ancient paths connecting Canavese to the neighbouring valleys. Human traces can be traced as far back as the Middle Ages: Ribordone was mentioned in 1338 during the popular uprising known as Tuchinaggio and for centuries it was a fief of the Counts of Valperga. In the 16th century, the first municipal statutes were adopted and periods of devastation linked to the Franco-Spanish wars are documented. The village underwent strong migratory phenomena between the 19th and 20th centuries that led to a marked depopulation, a characteristic common to many Alpine hamlets.
A distinctive feature of the area is the Prascondù Sanctuary, built after a miraculous event in 1619 attributed to a Marian vision. The first building erected was destroyed by an avalanche and later rebuilt and consecrated in 1659. Every year in September, the sanctuary is a pilgrimage destination and hosts a festival focusing on local tradition and devotion. The surrounding area offers excellent hiking opportunities, with paths leading up valleys and to mountain huts and views of valleys and glaciers. Amongst other curiosities, the place name Ribordone (in Piedmontese Ribordon, in French-Provençal Riburda) is said to derive from Rivus Bordonus, referring to the stream that crosses the valley.
The social fabric of the village is strongly influenced by the seasonal cycle and traditional activities: mountain farming, livestock breeding, small-scale craft production. The building heritage preserves examples of rural and religious architecture, including oratories, chapels and stone huts. The hamlets are animated by rituals and patronal festivals, such as the one dedicated to the Madonna celebrated on 27 August, which represents a moment of community fervour and aggregation. Modern economic life depends largely on the presence of the National Park, which encourages nature tourism and hiking, and the preservation of local traditions.
From a naturalistic point of view, Ribordone offers significant biodiversity with typical alpine fauna: deer, roe deer, ibex, marmots, golden eagles. The area is interesting for those who love wild mountains, hiking and geographic analysis; the Prascondù basin, the Piantonetto valley and the area around Monte Colombo are privileged destinations for expert hikers, pilgrims and scholars of the alpine environment.

Information

Area: 43.6 km²
Altitude: 1,023m
Maximum elevation: 3.270m - Punta Giulin
Number of inhabitants: 50 (as of 01/01/2023)
Name in dialect: Ribordon (Piedmontese); Riburda (Franco-Provençal)
Name in dialect: Ribordonesi
Patron Saint: Madonna di Prascondù, feast day 27 August
Bordering municipalities: Locana, Ronco Canavese, Sparone
Website: www.comune.ribordone.to.it
 

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