Rubiana: Mountain Landscapes, Trails and Culture

Rubiana in the Mountains

Rubiana lies in a mountainous amphitheatre on the left bank of the Dora Riparia. The landscape includes chestnut, oak, beech, larch and pine forests, as well as meadows and pastures. Colle della Bassa lies at an altitude of approximately 1,100 m on a ridge separating the Vallone del Messa from the Casternone Valley.

Trails and Sporting Excursions

Rubiana has a dense network of trails of varying lengths, often with historical or naturalistic significance. The historic mule tracks were built with stones set into the ground; some sections have survived to this day. From Favella, Rocca Sella can be reached via a ridge trail. The Sentiero della Libertà connects the Casa del Parco in Favella with Colle del Lys.

A 4 km trail leads from the Santuario della Madonna della Bassa to Colle del Lys and was used by partisans as an observation route across the entire Susa Valley. Rubiana's mountain-bike routes include circuits on forest roads and firebreaks. One circular route leads from Almese to Madonna della Bassa below the western side of Truc del Faro and can return to Rubiana via the provincial road or mule tracks.

Nature at Colle del Lys

The Parco Naturale del Colle del Lys is home to Euphorbia gibelliana, a sun-loving species endemic to Piedmont. In spring, gentians, lilies and orchids bloom in the clearings. The park provides an important habitat for black grouse courtship displays and the reproduction of numerous insects.

History, Art and Sacred Sites

Rubiana was first mentioned in documents in 1029: Margrave Manfredi of Turin and his wife Berta donated this area to the Abbey of San Giusto in Susa. The Chiesa Parrocchiale di Sant'Egidio was rebuilt in 1607 by expanding an existing 16th-century building and was solemnly consecrated in 1769. The Parrocchiale dei Santi Grato e Maria Maddalena in Mompellato was created in 1808 by expanding the chapel of San Grato e Santa Maria Maddalena; the Parrocchiale di San Giuseppe was built towards the end of the 18th century.

Fiabe e Boschi is a cultural project in Rubiana that has created an art gallery spread throughout the area. The Pinacoteca Comunale Francesco Tabusso houses more than one hundred works and aims to reconstruct Piedmont's artistic panorama in the second half of the 20th century. The museum, spread throughout the area, includes a museum site, a tower, the Peace Garden, the mass grave site and the Sentieri della memoria.

Local Specialities

The acidic soils are particularly suitable for growing berries, especially raspberries. Rubianese is a traditional crunchy biscuit made with Marsala. The similar Tegolino di Favella is a rectangular, brown and light biscuit without Marsala, created out of the need to use raw cake batter.

Getting There and Accessible Culture

The Parco Naturale del Colle del Lys can be reached by car from Turin via Pianezza, Alpignano, Almese and Rubiana. A GTT bus from Porta Susa also provides access from Turin; this service is not available during the winter months. The Pinacoteca Comunale Francesco Tabusso is accessible to people with disabilities and can be reached by public transport; accessible stops are located nearby.

More Places for Trip Planning

Piobesi Torinese, Arignano, Bricherasio, Nole, Beinasco, Settimo Vittone, Caselette and Front

For the higher-level travel overview: Turin.