Viganella, in Piedmont, is a small mountain village near the Swiss border. It is one of those off-the-beaten-path destinations that attract only real connoisseurs of rural Italy and nature holiday lovers.

It has always been small and quiet, and, even in better days, there were never more than 500 inhabitants in Viganella. Today, in the peak summer months the village counts about 170 residents.

Many houses here were built in the 17-18^th centuries from a local grey stone, with stone-covered roofs and wooden balconies. Some narrow streets have small stone steps and only passable on foot. Viganella boasts an ancient wood oven that has been used for baking bread for many centuries. It is still lit up and used once a year, during the feast of Santa Maria, on September 8 when the villagers make traditional breads with rye, grapes, walnuts and raisins.

There are many things to do around here: go hiking in the Valle Antrona, fishing, canyoning, skiing or rock-climbing. The traditional architecture is also worth exploring and there are many beautiful churches and oratories in the area. After a day of activities, especially during cold winter months, you will appreciate the simple hearty local dish called “ammazzafame” (loosely translated as “kill the hunger”): polenta is mixed with potatoes and cooked slowly.

Another man-made wonder in Viganella is worth exploring. The village was in the spotlight a few years ago when the local authorities installed a 40 square metres steel mirror (“Lo specchio di Viganella”) on the nearby mountain to get sunlight during dark winter days. As the village sits at the bottom of high peaks it doesn’t get any sunshine from November 11 to February 2. The problem was solved by installing the large reflecting steel sheet that is remotely controlled by a computer. It catches the sun light from 9am to 3pm and reflects it to the central square. The locals say that their social lives have significantly improved in winter months and they can stay on the central piazza even in winter. In fact, the project was so successful that it received recognition at the World technology awards in New York and some Norwegian communities have been talking about installing similar mirrors. So follow the locals and take time to bask in the mirror-projected sunlight on the piazza. It is fascinating to see how modernity and old ways of life can co-exist!

 Photos by Marta Anchieri, Panoramio.com