We are still trying to catch up with the blog. We are in Venice now but this post is still about when we were in Torino (Turin)...
Remember, to zoom in on a pic just click on it.
Remember, to zoom in on a pic just click on it.
The first time we flew from Frankfurt over the Alps to Milan, Eric was captivated by the rugged terrain and snow capped peaks. This trip we found some time to get a taste of the Alps.
A driver familiar with the area drove us to the foot of the alps northwest of Turin to within about a 5 minute walk of the French border. The area is Bardonecchia where part of the 2006 winter Olympics were hosted by Italy for snowboarding.
The fall colors were spectacular and the air was so very clean, crisp and refreshing.
Then off to a small town in an area known for mushrooms. We had lunch at a local ristorante and had the house special of fettucine with mushrooms in a white wine sauce. The mushrooms were lovely and cooked just right.
Then we drove up the to the abbey Sacra di San Michele. Here is some info copied from others...
"This monument is a symbol of Piedmont Region and a place that inspired the writer Umberto Eco to conceive the best-seller “Il nome della rosa” (The name of the rose), the Sacra of San Michele is an ancient abbey built in 983 on the top of mount Pirchiriano, 40 km from Turin. (We are not sure how many decades it took to complete construction.) From its towers you can admire Turin and a breathtaking view of the Val di Susa. Inside the main Church of the Sacra, dating from the twelfth century, are buried members of House of Savoy (one of the oldest royal families in the world).
Dedicated to the archangel Michele, defender of the Christian people, the Sacra di San Michele is on a 2000 km pilgrimage trail from Saint-Michel (France) to Monte Sant’Angelo (Puglia, Italy).
The history, the spiritual value and the landscape makes the Sacra a special destination for visitors."
Suzanne calls it the chuch of 1,000 steps because she is positive that's how many steps we climbed to get to it! And we did that on a full belly of pasta and wine! But, it was well worth the effort as you can see in the pics.
Here is the location:
https://goo.gl/maps/KNfAtSpRAk92
It took more than just men doing their job to build this church. This demonstration of human spirit and faith is inspiring.
Here is the location:
https://goo.gl/maps/KNfAtSpRAk92
It took more than just men doing their job to build this church. This demonstration of human spirit and faith is inspiring.
Later that evening Eric took his camera around Torino and took these pictures.
