Museo civico alpino "Arnaldo Tazzetti"

About the museum

The museum, dedicated to the Turin entrepreneur Arnaldo Tazzetti, stands in Usseglio, in the upper Viù Valley at 1,260 metres above sea level, in the ancient parish complex of Romanesque origin, protected by a low curtain wall and organised around a courtyard. It comprises the old parish church of the Assunta, the bell tower with corbelled arched cornices, the parish house, the entrance portico of 1768 known as the Ala del Mercato (Market Wing), and the chapel-oratory of the Confraternity of the Most Holy Name of Jesus.

After years of neglect, in 1998 the Committee for the restoration and reuse of the complex was founded, promoting the recovery of the buildings and the creation of the museum. The museum occupies the former town hall, the seat of the municipality from 1786 to 1958, and on the ground floor the former boys' primary school. Restoration began in 2000, the museum opened in 2004, was extended in 2015 and re-displayed in 2020–2021 with the support of Compagnia di San Paolo and Fondazione CRT.

The collections tell the artistic, cultural and natural heritage of the Lanzo Valleys: paintings spanning six centuries; archaeological finds from the Neolithic to the Middle Ages, including Roman altars and a section on the ritual site of the “Roccia dei giochi”; ethnographic objects from the late 19th and early 20th centuries; animal specimens divided among the three habitats of Usseglio (peaks, woodland and valley floor), butterflies and a herbarium. The museum is part of the Museo Diffuso Valle di Viù, together with the Museo di Arte Sacra di Viù and the former confraternity of Lemie.

Highlights

• Room dedicated to the painter Cesare Ferro Milone, and paintings spanning six centuries
• Archaeology from the Neolithic to the Middle Ages, with Roman votive altars to Hercules and Jupiter
• Ritual site of the “Roccia dei giochi” and high relief of Saint Bernard of Menthon
• Ethnographic collection on work, mountain life and mountaineering
• Bona fauna collection and butterflies of the Lanzo Valleys
• Ancient parish complex of Romanesque origin at 1,260 m

Permanent exhibition

• Collezioni: arte, archeologia, tradizioni locali e scienze naturali – Route through the former town hall, with paintings, finds from the Neolithic to the Middle Ages, ethnographic objects of the Lanzo Valleys, animal specimens in three habitats and a butterfly collection.

Founded

2004

Operated by

Associazione Amici del Museo Civico Alpino Arnaldo Tazzetti del Comune di Usseglio APS

Admission & discounts

The full ticket gives admission to the three venues of the Museo Diffuso Valle di Viù. Free admission also for holders of the Abbonamento Musei Piemonte, ICOM members and licensed tourist guides.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is in an old mountain building. For people with reduced mobility, the room dedicated to Cesare Ferro Milone, the temporary exhibition room and the old parish church used as a conference hall are accessible.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is about 60 km from Turin, in the upper Viù Valley.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum's online bookshop and a library open to consultation.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit