Ingria

Access

The municipality of Ingria can be reached from Turin via the provincial road in the direction of Cuorgnè, and then along the SP49 of Val Soana. The locality is mainly served by road transport: regional bus lines connect Ingria with neighbouring centres, while the nearest railway station is in Pont Canavese, which can be reached by car or bus. The reference airport for national and international connections is Turin Caselle, about an hour's drive away. The mountainous terrain and the local road system, sometimes subject to seasonal conditions, allow transit especially during the summer season.

Introduction

Ingria is a small municipality located in the Soana Valley, within the Metropolitan City of Turin, in Piedmont. The town is located about 57 km north of the Piedmontese capital, immersed in a mountainous context characterised by wooded slopes and rivers, with a territory that extends over twenty-one hamlets, many of which are now uninhabited. Its geographic position, as isolated as it is evocative, makes it one of the least populated municipalities in Italy, cloaked in a tranquillity that distinguishes Alpine villages and ensures the preservation of a natural environment of considerable value.

Description

Ingria lies between the heights of the Graian Alps, in the heart of the Soana Valley, in a region rich in forests, streams and panoramic views that invite the discovery of unspoilt landscapes. The municipal territory is crossed by the Soana stream that, together with smaller streams, has modelled the morphology of the landscape over the years and has been a fundamental resource for the inhabitants for centuries. The presence of numerous historic hamlets testifies to an ancient settlement tradition, mainly linked to a rural and pastoral economy.
The history of Ingria is intertwined with that of the Soana Valley and shows the typical vicissitudes of small Alpine villages: centuries of subsistence farming, transhumance, emigration to larger towns or abroad. In recent decades, the population has declined progressively, to become one of the lowest in Italy: according to recent data, the municipality has just 45 inhabitants. At the end of 2021, Ingria became part of the circuit of the 'Most Beautiful Villages in Italy', a recognition that has contributed to enhancing the environmental, architectural and cultural heritage of the locality.
In economic terms, the main activities are still related to mountain agriculture, forestry and livestock farming, often practised on a family scale. In contemporary times, the promotion of the area and the tourist offer are playing an increasing role, especially thanks to the presence of hiking trails, traditional events and manifestations that attract a public attentive to authentic rural realities. Particularly important is the local gastronomy, which finds its strong point in the use of typical alpine valley products - potatoes, game, polenta -.
Ingria's cultural life revolves around patronal festivals and fairs, which represent fundamental moments of aggregation for the small community. The annual events include the Sagra della Polenta and Sagra della Patata, occasions to meet and celebrate local gastronomic traditions, often enriched by artistic carving exhibitions and activities to enhance the territory. Religious festivals are dedicated to the local patron saint and include processions, liturgical celebrations and convivial moments, an element that reinforces the sense of belonging to the village.
Thanks to its location in the Soana Valley, Ingria offers numerous possibilities for hikers and nature enthusiasts. The paths that criss-cross the municipality and the hamlets are suitable for both trekking and nature walks, allowing you to explore the broadleaf and coniferous forests, and to reach panoramic viewpoints with impressive views of the valley and surrounding peaks. The stretch of the Soana stream running through the municipality is renowned for sport fishing for species such as trout, while the local fauna includes chamois, roe deer and a rich alpine avifauna. Events and manifestations are often linked to the rediscovery of traditions, with a focus on manual and craft activities.

Information

Area: 14.24 km²
Altitude: 831m
Maximum elevation: 2.712m - Punta di Pian Tallorno
Number of inhabitants: 45 (as of 2025)
Name in dialect: L'Ingri / L'Éngri (French-Provençal)
Name of inhabitants: Engrians
Patron Saint: St. John the Baptist
Neighbouring municipalities: Ronco Canavese, Frassinetto, Pont Canavese, Sparone
Website: www.comune.ingria.to.it