Museo Civico Alpino Arnaldo Tazzetti
Museum | Usseglio | Piemonte | Italy
The "Museo Civico Alpino 'Arnaldo Tazzetti'" in Usseglio is a significant cultural center dedicated to the history, art, and nature of the region. It is located in the historic parish complex of Usseglio, a picturesque mountain village in the Viù Valley, and was named in honor of the Piedmontese entrepreneur Arnaldo Tazzetti.
The museum is divided into three main sections:
Historical-artistic collection: This department presents artifacts documenting the history of the region over two thousand years. Outstanding exhibits include two Roman inscriptions found near Usseglio along the ancient trade route to Haute-Savoie, as well as a medieval high relief of Saint Bernard of Aosta. Additionally, works by artists from the 19th and early 20th centuries are on display, including Giuseppe Sauli d'Igliano, Domenico Buratti, Alberto Cibrario, Giovanni Piumati, Alberto Neuschuler, and the Usseglio painter Cesare Ferro Milone.
Natural history collection: This department houses an impressive collection of preserved animals displayed in three rooms representing the natural habitats of mountain peaks, forests, and valleys. Some exotic specimens come from the mountains of Canada and Siberia. Additionally, there is a collection of minerals from the valley.
Local traditions section: This section highlights the lives of Usseglio residents up to the mid-20th century. The exhibition is guided by everyday objects and photographs, including household items, tools for harvesting and processing milk, school materials, festivities, traditional clothing, the beginnings of mountaineering, and religious practices. A special focus is on documenting the iron and cobalt mines that were active until the late 19th century, as well as the hydroelectric power plants built in the 1930s that helped reduce emigration into the valleys.
The museum offers visitors a deep insight into the Alpine culture and history of the region, and is a valuable place for education and cultural exchange.
