Ecomuseo della segale

The Rye Ecomuseum is a network of structures, activities and events distributed throughout the territory, born from the aspirations and knowledge of the inhabitants of the Gesso Valley and grown year after year thanks to the experts, services and resources made available by the Maritime Alps Natural Park. The idea of the Ecomuseum was born from the dream of a park ranger: to restore an ancient path between the village of Sant'Anna di Valdieri and the two hamlets of Tàit Bartòla and Tàit Bariao, with their thatched rye roofs. Thus was born Lo Viòl di Tàit, 'the path of the roofs', the first step of a shared path of recovery and cultural enhancement that has found in rye its secret ingredient. RYE SOMETHING YOU EAT? Of course, but not only. Rye is a hardy cereal, able to make do with poor soils and grow even in the mountains. Until the mid 20th century, in the Maritime Alps rye was used to make bread, straw for animal bedding and roofing: it was good for the belly, good for the stable and good for the house. Indispensable for food and building, the precious plant was the basis of a true 'rye civilisation'. CULTURE IN MOVEMENT. Year after year, the fabric of the ecomuseum has become broader and richer, in terms of structures and experiences. To say Ecomuseum today means event arena, community oven, new thatched roofs, murals, Museum of Rye Civilisation. But also the I Bateur food-hostelry, the Rye Festival, the Lavender Festival, the Alpine Bear Carnival, the bread-making workshops, the community map, the evening appointments with music, nature and Alpine culture are an integral part of the Ecomuseum: a story in motion and in constant evolution.