Viù

Access

Access to Viù is mainly via the Valle di Lanzo road network: the town can be reached by car from the city of Turin via the Strada Provinciale delle Valli di Lanzo (Lanzo Valleys Provincial Road); railway stations and line services provide regular connections as far as Germagnano or Lanzo Torinese, from where local transport to Viù departs. During the winter months and bad-weather seasons, conditions may be variable: in particular, a car with winter equipment or snow tyres is recommended for access to the main town and the highest hamlets.

Introduction

Viù, located in the Metropolitan City of Turin, occupies the main position in the valley of the same name, the southernmost of the Lanzo Valleys Mountain Community. Its territory lies on a relief dominating the valley, at the foot of Rocciamelone and Mount Civrari, in a typically alpine landscape where ancient woods, wide meadows and steep slopes have accompanied human presence since prehistoric times. The toponym Viù, believed to be of Roman origin (from the Latin 'vicus', village), does not coincide with the earliest settlements: the discovery of evidence dating back to the Neolithic period and rock engravings of uncertain date confirms an ancient frequentation of these places, even before Roman domination.

Description

The documented history of Viù dates back to the 11th century, with the first mention in 1011, when the bishop of Turin was its temporal lord. Over the centuries, control passed to the Viscounts of Baratonia (from 1159 to 1333), the Giusti of Susa, the Provana of Carignano and the Arcour, until the final reunification of the fiefdom by Ottavio Provana, appointed first Count of Viù in 1634. Later, the municipality was also administered by the Birago of Vische, the Della Rovere of Bestagno and the Vernolfo of Boschetto. The valley was involved several times in the affairs of the Savoy family and in the history of Piedmont; during the Resistance, Viù was the scene of clashes and reprisals by the Nazi-Fascist forces, with serious losses among the local population. Elements such as this are a reminder of the resilience of the inhabitants and the deep-rooted stratification of the valley's historical events.
Viù's economy has traditionally been based on agriculture and sheep-farming, favoured by abundant high-altitude pastures; from the 18th century onwards, there was significant seasonal emigration to the Piedmontese capital, with the spread of figures such as the Viucese porters and nannies. The proximity to Turin (44 km) also favoured the arrival in the valley, as early as the 19th century, of holidaymakers and tourists, attracted by both the climate and natural beauty; illustrious guests include Giulia di Barolo, Silvio Pellico, Guido Gozzano, Vincenzo Gioberti and Benedetto Croce.
Viù retains a cultural identity rich in traditions linked to the cycle of the seasons and patron saint festivities, while the natural environment offers numerous hiking itineraries to refuges, alpine lakes and panoramic viewpoints, favouring the discovery of environments that are still little man-made and dotted with geological and historical curiosities.

Information

Area: 84.11 km²
Altitude: 785m
Maximum elevation: 3,557m - Rocciamelone
Number of inhabitants: 1.119 as of 1 January 2025
Name in dialect: Viù
Inhabitants' name: Viù
Patron Saint: St. Martin of Tours
Neighbouring towns: Condove, Germagnano,Lemie, Mezzenile, Rubiana,Traves, Vallo Torinese, Varisella
Website: www.comune.viu.to.it