Avigliana Between Lakes, History and Nature

Avigliana lies in a natural moraine amphitheatre in the lower Susa Valley. The town combines a striking landscape with churches, a castle, museums and traces of its industrial history. If you would like to combine nature, outdoor activities and culture in a single stay, Avigliana offers several clearly distinct themes to help you plan your trip.

Lakeside Landscape and Nature Observation

The Avigliana Lakes Natural Park encompasses two lakes, the Palude dei Mareschi wetland and moraine hills. Covering 400 hectares, the park is also a site of community importance. Lago Piccolo is considered the best place in the park for birdwatching. The natural area therefore centres on open water, a wetland and hilly landscapes.

Traces from the Middle Ages to Industrial History

Avigliana's Monumental Tourist Route includes medieval town gates, towers and defensive walls dating from the 12th to the 15th century. Savoy Castle served as the seat of the royal court and was used by the Counts of Savoy from no later than 1137. The building was probably erected at the beginning of the 11th century on Mount Pezzulano.

St John's Church in Avigliana contains 15th-century frescoes as well as a significant collection of 16th-century panel paintings, particularly by Defendente Ferrari and Gerolamo Giovenone. A cultural visit here combines the appreciation of older murals with works by two artists known by name.

The Il Vomere Museum houses objects, tools and evidence of Avigliana's predominantly agricultural local tradition. The former Dynamite Nobel factory provides a contrasting chapter: Construction work was completed in 1873, and the former factory is considered one of the most interesting examples of early 20th-century industrial architecture.

The village of San Bartolomeo was once home to an ancient cloister dependent on Saint Michael's Abbey. The medieval fortifications, ecclesiastical artworks, museum and former industrial site thus offer different ways of exploring Avigliana's history.

Activities for Different Types of Days

Canoeing is possible on the lakes of Avigliana. Trekking excursions are offered in Avigliana, and bicycles can be rented at the Avigliana tourist office. You can therefore shape your days according to your interests, alternating between water activities, trekking and cycling excursions. Together with the nature park and cultural sites, this creates a varied profile for travellers who want to visit more than a single attraction.

Depending on your personal focus, the themes can be weighted differently: Lago Piccolo is ideal for birdwatching, the lakes for canoeing, while the route, church, castle, museum and industrial architecture provide cultural highlights. Avigliana therefore remains easy to plan both for peaceful nature observation and for days focused on history and architecture.

More travel destinations:Buriasco, Banchette, Castagnole Piemonte, Robassomero, Torre Pellice, Nichelino, San Gillio, Vinovo

For the overview of the wider travel region: Turin.