Piloni d’artista ad Avigliana

"Piloni d’artista" (Artist’s Votive Shrines) returns for its fourth edition—an autumn event dedicated to rediscovering the historical, artistic, and natural heritage of Avigliana and its surrounding area. Scheduled for Sunday, November 15, this walking tour offers residents and visitors an immersive, mindful experience, leading them past votive shrines, historic architecture, and stunning landscapes.

The initiative is the result of a collaboration between the association *Amici di Avigliana* (Friends of Avigliana), the Italian Alpine Club (CAI)—including its sub-sections GEB (Bankers’ Hikers Group), TAM (Mountain Environment Protection), and UGET (Union of Young Hikers of Turin)—and the *Gruppo Ecovolontari Avigliana* (Avigliana Eco-Volunteers Group). Further enriching this collaborative effort are the FAI (National Trust for Italy), the Italian Hiking Federation, *Pro Natura*, *Turismo Torino e Provincia*, the association *Il filo della memoria* (The Thread of Memory) from Buttigliera Alta, *Torre Bicocca*, and the *Unione Bocciofila Aviglianese* (Avigliana Bocce Club).

The event is also supported by the patronage of the Municipality of Avigliana, the Municipality of Buttigliera Alta, the Metropolitan City of Turin, the *Unione Montana Valle Susa* (Susa Valley Mountain Union), and the project *Valle di Susa: Tesori d’Arte e Cultura Alpina* (Susa Valley: Treasures of Art and Alpine Culture).

Participants will gather at 8:30 a.m. at the Avigliana railway station, which serves as both the starting and ending point of the route. From there, the itinerary follows a 12-kilometer loop with a total elevation gain of 250 meters. The walk itself takes approximately four hours, spread out over the course of the entire day to allow time for visits, guided explanations, and breaks. The route begins along Piazzale Salvo D'Acquisto, Via Don Luigi Balbiano, Via Nicol, and Via del Brutto, eventually reaching the picturesque Viale dei Tigli on Monte Piocchetto. This leads to the Church of Sant'Agostino, which was recognized in 2020 as one of the FAI "Places of the Heart" (*Luoghi del Cuore*). Continuing toward Via San Sudario and its chapel, walkers will encounter the *pilone* (votive pillar) known as 'd la Cucurda along the Antica di Francia road, before crossing into the territory of Buttigliera Alta. Here, highlights include the Carron family chapel at the historic Villa San Tommaso, the Torre della Bicocca, various hillside paths, and the locality of La Truna, which also features a chapel.

The return journey toward Avigliana follows the western edge of the Le Fronde golf course, continuing along a stretch of Via Reano before joining the historic 'd la Blandinera path. Along the way, participants will pass the *pilone* known as 'dl Tir 'dl Canun, then head toward Via al Tubo and the *ciabot* (small field shelter) called 'dl Tubu—the designated spot for a packed lunch.

In the second half of the day, the route passes the Chapel of San Claudio and the *pilone* known as dij Blandu, continuing past the historic cemetery and the Church of San Pietro. Traversing Vicolo Autino, Via Oscar Borgesa, the Chapel of San Grato, Via Monte Pirchiriano, and the Chapel of the Addolorata, participants will reach Via Piave and Via Norberto Rosa, where they can admire Villa Cantamerlo. Finally, passing through Via Porta Ferrata and Via XX Settembre, the route includes a stop at the Oratorio del Gesù, before concluding at the aqueduct *pilone* (also known as 'dl Mulin) and along Viale Roma. The return is scheduled for 5:00 PM, capping off a day dedicated to the beauty and the widespread heritage of the local area.

Please register by emailing info.avigliana@turismotorino.org.

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Municipality of Avigliana - Avigliana