GRESSONEY VALLEY

Interesting for the view offered on the Lyskamm glacier and the imposing Monte Rosa massif. The history of Gressoney is closely linked to the Walser community, a population of Germanic origin who arrived in this area more than eight centuries ago through the Teodulo hill. The traditional heritage, kept alive by the Walser Cultural Center and the folk group, is still reflected today in the original architecture with the typical stadel, in the spoken language, Titsch, and in the precious female costume, also worn by Queen Margherita of Savoy, who he spent his summer holidays in Gressoney.

What to visit:

- The Church of San Giovanni Battista: the current parish, dating back to 1725, houses inside a rich treasure museum and a recently restored crucifix from the end of the 1300s, one of the oldest masterpieces in the region.

- The Walser village of Alpenzu: positioned on a panoramic natural balcony, the village of Alpenzu embodies the peculiarities of Walser architecture, among which the stadel, rural buildings resting on mushroom-shaped columns, stand out. Also noteworthy are the villages of Noversch and Ecko.

- The Alpenfaunamuseum Beck-Peccoz (currently closed for renovations): the museum houses a rich collection of hunting trophies, ancient weapons, precious family heirlooms and publications relating to Alpine fauna and flora.

The winter sports infrastructure allows the practice of Nordic skiing, with a track that winds for 25 kilometers through woods and magnificent views of the glaciers, and alpine skiing, with a development of over 11 kilometers and the possibility of skiing, even in night, on the legendary black slope "Leonardo David".

In winter, the frozen waters of the lake turn into a skating rink and fun is guaranteed at the Weissmatten baby snow park, for exciting descents with rubber dinghies or for a baptism of skis.

In summer, the municipality is a privileged starting point for walks of all levels of difficulty, among which we can mention the Valle dei Principi, the Loo valley and the Colle della Ranzola, mountaineering excursions and crossings towards the bordering Val d'Ayas and Valsesia. The 12-hole golf course is also spectacular, against which the Monte Rosa glacier stands out.

Festivals and traditions:

- Patronal feast of San Giovanni Battista: after the celebration of the Holy Mass, during the procession with the statue of the Saint, it is possible to admire the marvelous traditional Walser costumes worn by the women, long red dresses with black velvet bibs decorated in gold, adorned with a precious cap, entirely embroidered in gold filigree.

- Bierfest: this festival, which takes place every year in conjunction with the celebrations of the patron saint of San Giovanni, is dedicated to the famous Kühbacher Bier, produced in the brewery of Baron Beck-Peccoz, a Gressonarian who emigrated to Germany many years ago.

- Musical summer of Gressoney: the Amici della Musica association of Gressoney presents every year a program of classical music concerts of absolute prestige, with internationally renowned artists.

- Festa della Toma: event dedicated to taste, where the Toma of Gressoney is the protagonist. Appreciated table cheese, fresh or aged, it is still produced today with traditional methods, especially in this valley.

A short distance away you can reach Gressoney-La-Trinité , let's see together what it can offer you:

It is the last inhabited center at the head of the valley crossed by the Lys torrent, located at an altitude of 1627m in a vast basin dominated by the Lyskamm glacier of the Monte Rosa chain. In the Middle Ages, this locality belonged to the bishops of Sion and was populated by shepherds who had previously passed through the Valais territory, to whom they owe their name: the Walser, a population of Germanic origin who arrived in this area more than eight centuries ago through the Teodul Pass . Their culture is still reflected today in the customs, in the traditional architecture with the typical stadel, in the spoken language, the Titsch, and in the precious female costume, symbol of the Walser tradition and worn by the women of Gressoney on important occasions, famous for its beauty and elegance.

Gressoney-La-Trinité is an alpine resort of international renown, known for the alpine ascents on the Monte Rosa group and for the practice of winter sports . In fact, it belongs to the Monterosa Ski area, which, with over 100 kilometers of slopes, is one of the largest and most evocative in Europe. Stafal is the gateway to off-piste and ski mountaineering routes that reach the 4459 meters of Punta Gnifetti and the Capanna Regina Margherita, the highest refuge in Europe.

In summer , also thanks to the opening of the lifts, it is possible to enjoy numerous excursion itineraries towards lakes, shelters or panoramic points, such as Sant'Anna and the Alta Luce. Sports lovers can also try their hand at the arduous Via ferrata delle Guide or experience the thrill of mountain bike descents on the Punta Jolanda slope or on the paths that retrace the ski slopes.

Gressoney-La-Trinité offers its little guests numerous summer and winter activities. During the warmer months, in addition to numerous walks in nature, children can try their hand at the Harry Potter via ferrata to experience the thrill of climbing, have fun in the playgrounds or eat outside in the beautiful picnic area.

In winter, families can instead choose between the Sant'Anna baby snowpark, for exciting descents on rafts or skis, or the skating rink in front of Monte Rosa: fun is guaranteed!

What to visit:

- The Walser Ecomuseum: the museum offers a journey to discover the Walser, through the visit of three structures: an old rural house from the 1700s, the house museum with permanent exhibitions and the Baita di Binò Alpelté, a small pasture built in the shelter of a natural boulder that serves as a roof.

- The Parish Church of the Holy Trinity: the church was built in 1671 on the foundations of a pre-existing 15th century building. Noteworthy are the wooden Baroque high altar and the cemetery adjacent to the parish with its ancient stone tombstones, handmade by local sculptors.

- The chapels: the area of Gressoney-La-Trinité is home to numerous chapels, testimony to the importance of religion in the traditional life of the Alpine communities, including that of Oagre, dedicated to Our Lady of the Snows.

Holidays and traditions

- Traditional handicraft markets: summer and winter events with traditional handicrafts, opportunities to appreciate typical wooden objects and local food products. Worth noting is the August market on Alpe Sant'Anna, at an altitude of 2200 metres, with an incomparable view of Monte Rosa.

- The Feast of the Alpine Guides: on 15th August the Alpine guides are celebrated with a suggestive procession with torches through the streets of the historic centre. For the occasion, some women wear the beautiful Walser costume.

Restaurants:

Open every day, Sundays from 12.30 to 15.00

Località Fridau, 1 - 11025, Gressoney-Saint-Jean

Telephone: + 39 3293152547

Internet: www.villafridau.com

 

Open every day

Strada Castello Savoia, 26 - 11025 Gressoney St. Jean - Aosta Valley

Telephone: +39 0125355535

Internet: info@granbaitagressoney.it

 

Open every day from 9:00 to 24:00

Loc. Bedemie, 11 - Gressoney La Trinitè

Telephone: +39 0125366803

Internet: www.ristorantemorgenrot.it