L'Italo-Americano

www.italoamericano.org 8 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19 2023 L'Italo-Americano I n the Italian charming N o r t h - W e s t , w h e r e the towering Alps of P i e m o n t e a n d Provence meld with the serene blue depth of the Ligurian Sea, lie two ancient pathways characterized by their historical significance and natural splendor—the Via del Sale and the Alta Via del Sale. These storied routes trace back to times when salt was a precious commodity referred to as "white gold," and speak about the deep connection between the Ligurian Sea, France, and the lands of Piemonte. Before delving deeper into their fascinating history and significance, we need to clari- fy that the Via del Sale and the Alta Via del Sale are not the same thing, but are part of the same heritage. The Via del Sale, translated as the "Salt Road," is an age-old route historically utilized for the transportation of salt from the coastal areas to the hinterland, intricately run- n i n g t h r o u g h P i e m o n t e , France, and Liguria. This ancient route extends about 30 kilometers from Limone Piemonte to Monesi di Triora, which, while not on the coast, offered a connec- tion to the Ligurian hinter- land. Known also as a military road through the Ligurian Alps, the Via del Sale is not, however, a singular path but a n e t w o r k o f r o u t e s , e a c h meandering through breath- taking landscapes, embody- ing a blend of historical sig- nificance, military strategy, and natural beauty. On a parallel yet higher trajectory, we find the Alta Via del Sale, or "The Upper Salt Road." This is a spectacu- lar unsealed former military r o a d , t h a t r u n s a l o n g t h e mountainsides following the main Alpine watershed near the Italian-French border, at altitudes ranging between 1 , 8 0 0 a n d 2 , 1 0 0 m e t e r s (5,905 to 6,890 feet, approxi- mately). Like its counterpart, the Alta Via del Sale was a crucial route for commercial exchanges, predominantly the transportation of salt. Its journey through a succession of Alpine crossings, daring bends, and thrilling passes presents a higher-altitude adventure, offering a differ- ent yet equally compelling perspective of the region's historical and natural splen- dor. N o w w e c a n d e l v e i n t o e a c h o f t h e s e a m a z i n g l y scenic routes and discover more about their history and cultural significance. The Via del Sale has a rich h i s t o r i c a l b a c k g r o u n d stretching back to the time of Charlemagne, but its initial mention is found in docu- ments dating back to 1207, marking it as one of the old- est salt roads on the Italian Peninsula, with over 800 years of history. It was also known as the Route du Mar- guareis (the road of the Mar- guareis), taking this name from the main mountain in the Ligurian Alps, which it traverses. Its main duty was, historically, that of trans- p o r t i n g s a l t f r o m V e n - timiglia to Limone Piemonte and onwards to Turin: the need for such a route arose from the necessity of inland populations to access the indispensable "white gold" (salt) which was abundant along the coastal regions . There were designated stops along the way for changing quadrupeds and the driver before continuing towards Colle di Tenda, one of the f e w c o n n e c t i n g r o a d s between the plain and the sea. During the ducal period of the Savoy dynasty, it was referred to as Via Marenca, a name indicating its route towards the sea. However, this path was not solely for trade, as it also held adminis- trative and political signifi- cance. The road's mainte- nance continued until the 2nd World War, allowing for the conservation of this cru- cial route . All along its 121 km (just over 75 miles), the Via del Sale still is a breathtaking journey from the Alps to the sea and offers challenging climbs and descents reward- ed with stunning panoramas everywhere. Today, it can be traversed by bike, motorbike, or on foot from spring to fall and crosses two states, three r e g i o n s , t w o p r o v i n c e s , a department, and ten munici- palities, embodying a rich blend of historical, geograph- ical, and cultural intersec- tions. The Alta Via del Sale, translated as the "Upper Salt Road," holds a notable place in history, much akin to its sister route. The name "Alta Via del Sale" traces its roots to the ancient caravans that historically traversed one of t h e o l d e s t p a s s e s i n t h e Alpine chain, the already- mentioned hill of Tenda, in pursuit of facilitating trade between regions. The prima- ry commodity traded along this route was, of course, salt, underscoring the significance of this essential mineral since ancient times . However over the years, and particularly in the last century, this path underwent military inter- ventions that expanded and arranged its course, transi- tioning it into a Military Road L i m o n e – M o n e s i , w h i c h underscores the strategic importance of this route, not only for commerce but also for military purposes . As we mentioned, the Alta V i a d e l S a l e m e a n d e r s through relatively high alti- tudes, ranging between 1,800 and 2,100 meters, along the main Alpine watershed near the Italian-French border. It o f f e r s a t h r i l l i n g j o u r n e y t h r o u g h a s u c c e s s i o n o f Alpine crossings, hairpin bends, and audacious passes, challenging and exhilarating modern-day explorers and historians alike. In order to safeguard and maximize its historical importance and natural beauty, access to the road is regulated through precise areas of entry and itineraries: more specifically, there are six access routes reachable by car, including Limone Piemonte, Ormea- Upega di Briga Alta, Triora, Pigna, La Brigue, and Tenda. This regulation further show- cases the efforts to conserve the historical and natural sig- nificance of the route, while facilitating a safe exploration experience for visitors . The Via del Sale and the Alta Via del Sale, often men- tioned together, symbolize a dual heritage—a lower and an upper trail—each with its unique historical narrative and geographical charm, yet intertwined in purpose and legacy. While they diverge in altitude and terrain, their common roots in salt trade and military history draw them together in a shared narrative of the region's past. Their existence and contin- ued use underscore the con- tinuing connection between the Italian, French, and Lig- urian territories and the rich historical heritage that binds these regions. The Via del Sale is known to be a fantastic biking trail (Photo: Roberto Maggioni/Dreamstime) A snapshot of the Via del Sale between Italy and France, in Piemonte, with the ruins of an old military fort (Photo: Roberto Maggioni/Dreamstime) ALL AROUND ITALY TRAVEL TIPS DESTINATIONS PEOPLE ACTIVITIES History and nature meet on Piemonte and Liguria's Via del Sale and Alta Via del Sale FRANCESCA BEZZONE

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