Caselette – Nature, History and Trails on Monte Musinè

Between the Moraine Hill, the Lakes and Monte Musinè

Caselette, with its historic centre, lies on a moraine hill at the foot of Monte Musiné. Between the floodplain of the Dora Riparia and the forested south-eastern slope of the mountain, different landscape areas meet here. If you are looking for a place connected with nature and rich in historical substance for your trip to Italy, Caselette offers both in an immediately tangible form: an established town centre, mountain scenery, lakes and traces from several eras.

The Path to the Summit and the Waterside Landscape

A steep ridge path leads from the Santuario to the summit of Monte Musiné, at an altitude of 1,150 m, in about an hour. A 15-metre-high monumental reinforced-concrete cross, erected in 1901, stands there.

The lake landscape is also part of the character of the area. Lago Inferiore di Caselette preserves aquatic and marsh vegetation with floating and submerged plant communities, as well as extensive stands of sedges, cattails and reeds. The Monte Musiné e Laghi di Caselette area encompasses Monte Musiné and the upper and lower lakes of Caselette.

Archaeology and Sacred Art

Caselette’s history can be traced through several specific sites. Castello di Camerletto was built before the 10th century and became an estate of Novalesa Benedictine Abbey. The Villa romana di Caselette is a single square archaeological building covering approximately 3,400 m². The Villa romana di Caselette was built between the late 1st century BC and the early 1st century AD.

The northern residential area of the Villa romana di Caselette is currently accessible. Its rooms have been preserved in the open air around an uncovered square courtyard. The Chiesa di San Giorgio Martire also contains an altarpiece dated 1636: it depicts the Madonna and Child, flanked by Joseph and Saint George slaying the dragon. The Santuario di S.Abaco is a pilgrimage destination for the local community every January.

Places to Visit in the Surrounding Area

The Villa Romana Almese, an ancient site, is located near Caselette. Also in the surrounding area are Casa del Conte Verde and Castello di Rivoli, both palaces, as well as the Museo d'Arte Contemporanea di Rivoli, a museum building. Monte Musinè, a mountain, is located nearby. Other attractions include Goja Del Pis, a waterfall, Giardini La Marmora, a garden complex, and Area attrezzata Collina di Rivoli, a park. These destinations offer different points of connection for cultural and nature-related interests without limiting Caselette to just one type of trip.

Getting There and Choosing Where to Stay

Caselette can be reached from Turin via Alpignano and the SS24 state road, as well as from the Susa Valley. The A32 motorway (Turin–Bardonecchia) can be reached via the Rivoli-Rosta exit; it is 8 km from Turin. When choosing a hotel in Caselette, you can take these connections into account as a practical framework for your individual planning, while also deciding whether to focus your days more on Monte Musiné, the lakes, archaeology or the cultural attractions in the surrounding area.

Discover More Destinations

For further travel planning, you can also visit Borgofranco D'ivrea, Grugliasco, Carmagnola, Bobbio Pellice, Piamprato, Pecetto, Romano Canavese and Frassinetto.

To the higher-level travel overview: Turin.