Almese

Access

Almese is easily accessible from Turin thanks to the direct connection via the Moncenisio state road and the Turin-Bardonecchia railway line, with stations in nearby Avigliana and Condove. The motorway connects the area with Turin and the Susa Valley.

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Introduction

Almese is a municipality located in the Metropolitan City of Turin, Piedmont, which is distinguished by its strategic position at the eastern entrance to the Susa Valley, in a territory that stretches from the slopes of the Graian Alps to the plains crossed by the Messa stream.
Almese's landscape offers a remarkable altimetric and environmental variety. The centre is located 364 metres above sea level, while the highest point is Mount Curt (1,323 metres), a short distance from the well-known Musinè. The municipal territory is irregular, with alternating flat, hilly and mountainous areas, and includes the hamlets of Rivera, Milanere, Malatrait and a constellation of historic and recent villages.

Description

Almese's origins date back to pre-Roman times, when the area was enhanced by the roads crossing the Alps and the Roman road to Colle del Monginevro. There are important archaeological testimonies such as the Roman Villa from the Augustan age (1st century AD) in the Grange di Rivera locality. During the Middle Ages, the strategic position of the municipality favoured the construction of the Ricetto di San Mauro, a defensive structure dating back to the 14th century. Almese was the protagonist of a history of dominations, feudalism and religious evolutions, with a slow transition to modern industrialisation.
The natural heritage is enriched by the presence of the Goja del Pis, a small lake of torrential origin characterised by a 14-metre waterfall. This destination lends itself to hiking and summer bathing, offering a refreshing break immersed in the nature of the Susa Valleys. Several hiking possibilities criss-cross the area, including the paths up to the Musinè and Colle del Lys, which are very popular with mountain lovers.
Almese has about 6,300 inhabitants (as of 2024), called almesini, scattered throughout the main centre and its hamlets. The structure of the village retains medieval stone elements, in contrast to the modern residential districts that have sprung up in the higher areas. The population shows a balanced age distribution, with a social liveliness supported by industrial, tertiary and agricultural activities. The economy sees the presence of craft businesses, manufacturing activities, services and small farms linked above all to the cultivation of cereals and grazing.
Almese's traditions are manifested in the area's festivals, in particular the celebration of the patron saint "Name of Mary" on 12 September and numerous local events that enliven the hamlets. Attention is also paid to the recovery of historical memories, with initiatives dedicated to medieval and Roman remains.

Information

Area: 17.91 sq km
Altitude: 364m
Maximum elevation: Monte Curt (1323m)
 Number of inhabitants: 6303
Name in dialect: Almèis (Piedmontese)
Inhabitant name: almesini
 Patron Saint: Name of Mary (12 September)
Website: www.comune.almese.to.it
Webcam:
Bordering municipalities: Avigliana, Caselette, Rubiana, Val della Torre, Villar Dora
 Villages and hamlets: Malatrait, Milanere, Rivera