Frassino: Historical Traces and Paths in Val Varaita

Historical Traces and Local Character

Frassino can be discovered through its specific local history and paths in the mountain landscape. On Via Vecchia there are a bifora with a twisted column and a capital made of green stone, as well as a projecting portal, considered the only surviving identifiable evidence of a fortified house in the main town.

On the paths and in the hamlets of Frassino, there is a remarkable number of votive pillars decorated with different frescoes. They were erected from the 18th century until the period after the Second World War. The toponyms of Frassino are Occitan; some of them are shown on the municipality’s information signs.

The traditional masonry trade of Frassino is considered to remain alive; the local bricklayers are also widely appreciated beyond the municipal boundaries. Tomin dal Mel is a cheese typical of Frassino and Melle.

Paths, Rocks and Mountain Landscape

The Anello 1 circular route leads from Frassino via Campo Soprano, Meira Baricocua, Meira Danna, Meire del Banc, Chiaronto and Madonna degli Angeli back to Frassino and takes five hours. Below the rocks of Monte Ricordone, it passes abandoned fields, houses and centuries-old chestnut trees. For planning your day, the five-hour duration provides a clear framework.

The Percorso Avventura di Charonto runs above the hamlet of Charonto in Frassino through rocky terrain at an altitude of between 1,010 and 1,270 metres. In the wider area around Frassino, the Cop de Rore climbing crag is located in Sampeyre. It can be reached via a five-minute walk from the last hairpin bend before the small church in the hamlet of Charonto in Frassino. Further up, the “La vio di toumin” meets the mule track coming up from Frassino at a votive pillar.

Madonna degli Angeli and the History of the Valley

The Santuario Madonna degli Angeli stands at an altitude of 780 metres on a wooded plateau in the central Val Varaita, in the municipality of Frassino. The present Santuario was built between 1854 and 1860. Inside, refined frescoes created by the painter Giovanni Borgna in 1879 can be seen.

The sanctuary is located about 100 metres above the valley road on a medieval route to Sampeyre. This route was widened in the 18th century and gained a certain commercial importance. The sanctuary was also situated on the pilgrimage route used by pilgrims from the Saluzzese area to reach the Santuario della Madonna Nera di Becetto, a high-altitude hamlet of Sampeyre. For you, this place combines the mountain landscape, architectural history and the religious history of Val Varaita.

Practical Orientation on Site

There is a motorhome rest area on Strada del Varaita in Frassino. For a motorhome trip, this specific location is part of practical planning for the area.

Further Destinations

Further destinations: Saliceto, Rodello, Clavesana, Sampeyre, Prine, San Bernardino, Cortemilia, Mombarcaro

To the higher-level travel overview: Cuneo.