Bellino
Edited by:
Massimo Martini
Access
Access to Bellino is mainly through the Varaita Valley: take the provincial road up from Costigliole Saluzzo, continuing to Sampeyre and Casteldelfino. The municipality can be reached both by car and by regular buses that connect the valley to the main town and the plain; parking facilities are present near the main villages. The nearest airport is 'Cuneo Levaldigi'; from the Savigliano railway station there are buses to Saluzzo and Casteldelfino. In summer, the Agnello pass provides direct access from France, facilitating cross-border mobility.
.Introduction
Bellino is a characteristic alpine village in the Varaita Valley, in the highest sector of the province of Cuneo, immersed in a highly evocative landscape. This small mountain municipality is located at an average altitude of 1,572 metres above sea level and covers a vast territory of over 62 km², characterised by severe mountains, dense forests and high-altitude pastures. The population, as of 1 January 2025, numbers just 100 inhabitants, known as Bellinesi, giving the village an atmosphere suspended in time, a refuge of tranquillity and ancient traditions.
Description
The territory of Bellino is divided into ten hamlets: of these, Celle, Chiesa, Fontanile, Ribiera and Pleyne are among the best known, each representative of the local alpine architecture made up of stone and wood, with lean-to houses and slate roofs. Nature frames the village with the presence of the Varaita stream and numerous panoramic trails; the slopes of the Bellino valley offer glimpses of side valleys, alpine pastures and forests, traversed by hiking itineraries such as the GTA - Grande Traversata delle Alpi.
Bellino's historical roots date back to medieval times, with evidence of settlements as early as the 14th century. Historical events include the battle between the Savoy and Franco-Spanish armies that took place near Mount Pelvo d'Elva, while traces of agro-pastoral communities are evident in the layout of the hamlets and the widespread use of the land for grazing and haymaking. Remains of ancient iron mines also attest to mining phases up to the 18th century. The origin of the place name may derive either from the Celtic deity Belenus or from the French word 'belins', meaning 'sheep', underlining the historical importance of sheep farming in this area.
Bellino's distinctive feature is its exceptional collection of sundials: no fewer than 34 dated dials - some dating back to 1734 - have been restored and are still working, in addition to new specimens made during the 20th century. The 'Solar Bell' itinerary allows visitors to admire these works, distributed on the façades of houses and chapels in the various hamlets. The itinerary is part of a broader cultural framework that finds expression in the Museo del Tempo e delle Meridiane (Museum of Time and Sundials), housed in the hamlet of Celle, where scientific, artistic and social aspects linked to the measurement of time and the Alpine gnomonical tradition are illustrated. A hobby Astronomical Observatory, on the Bellino hills, further enriches the offer for residents and visitors, facilitating the observation of the vault of heaven in ideal conditions of darkness and atmospheric purity.
Daily life and the economy are still affected by the strong link with the mountains: sheep farming, subsistence farming and fodder production remain deep-rooted practices, alongside niche cultural and nature tourism. Traditional festivals revolve around religious feasts such as Santo Spirito and San Giacomo, patron saints of the parish churches of Celle and Chiesa, while the Fiera dei 10 and the Fiera dei Mestieri periodically enliven some of the hamlets, keeping alpine customs and a sense of community alive.
Information
Area: 62.07 km²
Altitude: 1576m
Maximum elevation: 3.340m - Mongioia
Inhabitants: 100 (1 January 2025)
Name in dialect: Blins (in Occitan)
Inhabitants' name:Bellino
Patron Saint:St. James (25 July)
Internet site: www.comune.bellino.cn.it
Webcam:
Bordering municipalities: Acceglio, Casteldelfino, Elva, Pontechianale, Prazzo, Saint-Paul