Sanctuary of Cuney
Introduction
The Sanctuary (Oratory) of Cuney is the highest in Europe. It stands in a beautiful and panoramic bassin closed between the Becca del Merlo and the Becca of Fontaney near some little lakes. The tradition says about a statue of Mary that was found there by some sheperds and then transported into the parish of Lignan. But ... miracle! that statue... didn't want to stay in that church, so that came back up there where it was found ... So, briefly, was decided to built a sanctuary to honour the Virgin Mary "of the snow" (one of the thousand Virgins that are existing in our mountains). The first construction, a simple chapel, was finished in 1659. But however, as for all the buildings staying at so high altitude, it ruined very soon and only in 1869 was rebuilt as we can see it today and inaugurated on August, 5th, that is in the day of recurrence of the said Virgin. Nowadays, in that occasion, processions take place and many believers are actratted up there in order to follow the relating cerimonies.
Since 1994 a little Refuge too is working with a capability of nearly 25 people. It offers also relief to trekkers and pilgrims.
Description
The quickest way to reach the sanctuary starts from the small Lignan fraction of Porliod. It originates from a large parking lot just before the village in which there is also a section dedicated to picnic. The trail is marked by the number 11B: it reaches immediately a country road, passing near a house with a fountain and turn immediately left quite on a steep climb to reach a forest that dates back several times with serprentine crossing the road that goes up instead, but with a slope of less greater length (path 11C).
Once out of the woods there is a vast amphitheater tilted slightly to the west, grassy, with some scattered trees and crowned by rocky ridges, open to a vast panorama to the south and opens on Emilius and Grivola, while on the opposite side appear the peaks of Monte Rosa, the Val d'Ayas and his chain of partition with Valtournenche. There is a trace of the road which then reduces again to trail and continues to proceed westward in the direction of a buttress behind which there is a large pasture. After reaching a large and comfortable road and continuing on it by turning right (just below, on the right, there is a small lake) and advancing in a valley at the bottom of which you can see the depression of the Col Salvè surmounted by a large cross. To get on the road which then reduces again to trail, you walk directly to the first slope that is gradually increasing, then with a few right turns, on left again and then more steeply up the grassy saddle.
When you reach the Col Salvè the view opens on the harsh basin where the Oratory stands, with the background of the offshoots Becca of Merlo. To the left of the buildings can be seen the precipitous rocky outcrop traversed by the track called the "Passet," partically equipped, exciting path that reaches the destination, avoiding a descent for the circumvention of the spur itself. From the Col, after a short part going down, that makes you lose nearly 50 meters in altitude, the itinerary is still doing some ups and downs at first, then horizontally and then uphill to reach the point of attack of the "Passet" (signs). It is then continuing in a system of ledges (helped by some fixed metal chain) quite large, on which must still be careful. Bypassed around the spur we find ourselves at the base of a slope that goes back to the target, you will cross a small stream coming finally to the esplanade of Cuney. (3.15 hours the entire path).
For the return journey you can choose the "normal" (the one that avoids the "Passet"). Go down on a path towards a big and long pasture and passes through a natural road. On the left there is another small lake, we must proceed on a steep grassy slope (some stoned "men" here and there) to reach the road at the pasture irself. The following is therefore a long uphill path first and then, turning abruptly to the north, along the opposite side of the one climbed for reaching the Oratory, and discovering a beautiful view of the Monte Rosa. Worked around a rocky road to the east and once again, just before the stretch begins to descend steeply, then leave the road to follow a path (be careful with signs) that surrounds the rocky, winding up lowers some abandoned huts, continue downhill until you reach a new road which then runs for a few hundred meters. Other shortcuts drive in a beautiful wooded part and pass through the bottom of a valley where a small stream that flows ford (very swampy terrain in the area) back then briefly on the opposite side. Continue paying attention to the signs (yellow arrows)that in this section are rather sparse direction south to unlock then definitely on the scenic route back, after being passed by some houses, at the junction with route 11B close to the parking lot where our journey began.
Author
- Check all excursionism reports of Giovanni Consigli
- Check the page of Giovanni Consigli
Bibliography
- Luca Zavatta: Le Valli del Cervino L'Escursionista Editore, 2005
- Massimo Martini e Luca Zavatta: Alte vie della valle d'Aosta Martini Multimedia, 2006
Cartography
- 13 - Valle Centrale, Saint-Barthèlemy 1:25.000 L'Escursionista Editore, 2011
Galleria fotografica
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