Things to do in Avigliana Italy – what to see attractions and activities

Nestled among the morainic hills and the mouth of the Valle di Susa, it is characterized by three biotypes: the two lakes (Lago Grande and Lago Piccolo), the hills formed during the last ice ages and the swamp of Mareschi. The lakes, where numerous species of fish live, are a favorite destination for birdwatchers. Self-guided activities or along the trails along the trails are supported by an information center, a fishing ecomuseum, maps also available at the Tourist Information Center (+39) 0119311873 - ufficioiat@turismoavigliana.it). Don't forget: Lake Grande is an ideal destination for practicing numerous water sports, such as canoeing, sailing, water skiing. During the summer it is possible to choose one of these activities or simply swim in its clear waters by accessing from one of the beaches indicated on the maps.

The Castle of Avigliana is one of the oldest castles in Piedmont. Built in the tenth century by the Marquis Arduino III, the Castle stands on top of Mount Pezzulano, overlooking the entire village of Avigliana and its lakes. Conquered by the French in 1536 and, then, again, in 1630, the Castle was definitively destroyed in 1691 by the troops who fought against the army of Vittorio Amedeo II of Savoy. Today, only the external walls remain to testify to its ancient importance.

An extraordinary example of industrial archaeology of the early twentieth century, the Nobel Dynamitificio was built in 1873 on a hill on the edge of the town of Avigliana. Equipped with electricity and an internal railway connected to the Avigliana station, it was equipped with a chemical laboratory and produced, in addition to explosives, chemical intermediates, by-products of processing main, fertilizers and varnishes. During the Last World War the plant was the scene of bombing and partisan actions, and closed its doors in the 1960s. The Nobel Dynamitificio Museum, inaugurated in 2002, is a piece of the collective memory of the territory and testifies to the social and productive transformations that occurred over the years. Unique in its kind, it offers an interactive set-up with videos, documents, explanatory panels, vintage photographs and tools used in the production of explosives. In addition, the Museum provides a visit route that, touching the anti-aircraft shelter for workers, tunnels and burst rooms, allows the visitor to immerse himself totally in the reality of the factory, touching the dangerousness and life difficulties of the workers.