Information about Alagna Valsesia in the Province of Vercelli
This is the last village in Valsesia, situated at the foot of the southern face of Monte Rosa, at 1200 meters of altitude, along the river Sesia.
Of ancient Walser origin, the population of Alangna arrived in Valsesia from Macugnaga around the XIII century and still nowadays the small village has maintained its ancient architecture and structural characteristics intact. The most meaningful testimony of this descendance is represented by the typical walser hamlets, which can be reached from the village centre by short walks on the mule paths.
To discover the culture of these people it is worth visiting the Walser Museum, situated in the Pedemonte hamlet. This is situated in a house dating from 1628, which, thanks to the local inhabitants work, has been faithfully brought back to its original characteristics, both in terms of building types and internal space distribution and in terms of furniture (for information: telephone 347 1377404).
Mineral extractions have always been fundamental for Alagna. Nowadays the mine situated in Merletti produces feldspar whilst from about 1450 until the beginning of 1900 it was used to extract gold.
Starting from the beginning of 1634, the D’Adda family obtained from the Duchy of Milan the privileges on the Alagna gold and Silver mines. Slowly this became the biggest mineral plant centre of Italy. The mines productivity diminished because the work was spread around several small caves (areas of Salati, Bors, Acqua Bianca, Jazza, Kreas, Mud, etc…). Despite the fact that the caves situated at a high altitude were the richest in materials, the dispersion of the work, the scarcity of checks and natural difficulties, in addition to other political and economical factors and to problems with the foreign companies which attempted exploitation, caused a crisis.
Since ever Alagna has been a tourist resort of great interest for ramblers and mountaineers that come from all over the world and engage themselves both in the easier paths and in those which require more expertise.
The climb to Capanna Regina Margherita, at 4552 meters of altitude, is commonly done in the summer, also thanks to the cable car which brings the climbers to the wonderful Punta Indren glacier, at 3260 meters. Furthermore, the Alagna village is situated in the protected area of the Alta Valsesia Natural Park, the highest in Europe.
As far as winter sports are concerned, Valsesia is one of the most renowned centres, thanks to its well known resorts which brings the skiers into the heart of Monte Rosa. It also belongs to one of the biggest skiing resorts in Europe, thanks to the new ski lift which connects Alagna to Gressoney and Champoluc. These are lots of temptations also for those who love off track skiing: thanks to the several valleys and free slopes which unravels in the precious snow, Alagna has won the title of “ Free Ride Paradise”.
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