Traversella

Access

Traversella can be reached by car following the Val Chiusella provincial road from Ivrea, the main railway junction connected with Turin and Milan. Following the local road network, one ascends along the valley through gradually wilder and more scenic landscapes. Public connections are guaranteed by regular buses serving the valley, with some seasonal limitations typical of mountain territories; for those arriving from afar, the nearest railway station is Ivrea, while the reference airport for the area is Turin Caselle, from where one continues by train and bus.

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Introduction

Traversella is a small alpine municipality located in the Metropolitan City of Turin, nestled in the upper Val Chiusella, on the border with Valle d'Aosta and Canavese. Its territory, covering 39.52 km², spreads between wooded slopes, rushing streams and majestic peaks culminating in the imposing Monfandi (2,816 m), the highest local elevation. The village of Traversella is located at 827 metres above sea level, surrounded by unspoilt nature that offers stunning views of the entire western Alpine arc and typical Valle d'Aosta landscapes. The resident population is around 350, known as Traversellesi, while in the local dialect the village is called 'Traussela', testifying to the linguistic and cultural roots of the place. The patron saint, San Marcello, is celebrated on 16 January, a day that gathers the community around religious and civil traditions.

Description

The history of Traversella is intertwined with that of the valley and surrounding mountains, characterised since ancient times as a transit and grazing area. The toponymy, the distribution of villages and mountain pastures, and the memory of iron and copper mines tell of a reality where agro-pastoral and mining activities sustained local economic life until recent years. The centre of the hamlet preserves historic stone buildings, paved paths and a small heritage of rural architecture that well represents the settlement patterns of alpine communities.
The natural spaces around Traversella are home to a remarkable biodiversity, with a variety of environments ranging from broad-leaved and coniferous forests to high-altitude prairies and watercourses fed by snowfields and springs. In spring and summer, the municipality's paths offer the opportunity to observe flora rich in rare species, including some typical of the sunny slopes of the pre-Alps. The municipality borders several other Alpine and foothill villages: Brosso, Castelnuovo Nigra, Donnas, Frassinetto, Ingria, Meugliano, Pontboset, Quincinetto, Ronco Canavese, Tavagnasco, Trausella, Valprato Soana and Vico Canavese. These inter-municipal connections favour a network of hiking trails that make Traversella a privileged starting point for multi-day treks and exploration of the surrounding valleys.
The village's traditions are manifested not only in the religious festivals, but also in the daily life of the villages and mountain pastures. Mountain culture emerges from tales of seasonal work, transhumance rituals and the memory of legends about witches, brigands and treasures hidden in the woods. The presence of numerous hamlets and smaller villages accentuates the widespread character of the settlement; the alpine pastures, once vital to the local economy, are now preserved as evidence of the historical relationship between man and alpine nature.

Information

Area: 39.52 km²
Altitude:827m
Maximum elevation: 2.816m - Monfandi
Number of inhabitants: 350
Name in dialect: Traussela
Name in dialect: Traversellesi
Patron Saint: San Marcello (16 January)
Bordering municipalities: Brosso, Castelnuovo Nigra, Donnas, Frassinetto, Ingria, Meugliano, Pontboset, Quincinetto, Ronco Canavese, Tavagnasco, Trausella, Valprato Soana, Vico Canavese
Website: www.comune.traversella.to.it