Monte Mars - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

The Monte Mucrone is a mountain of Biella Alps high 2,335 m. It is located in the Province of Biella between the Elvo Valley and the Oropa basin and the municipal boundaries of Biella, Sordevolo and an administrative mountain island in the municipality of Pollone converge on the culminating point. Like the rest of the Oropa basin, the eastern slopes of the Mucrone were included in 2005 in the special nature reserve of the Sacro Monte di Oropa.

The Oropa Sanctuary is the most important and largest Sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary to be found in the Alps. It is located in a unique, natural and unspoilt setting at 1200 mt. a.m.s.l, at only 20 minutes drive from the centre of Biella. The monumental complex is made of three courtyards: the heart of the Sanctuary is the Old Basilica where the Black Madonna is kept.

The fort of Bard is a fortified complex that was rebuilt in the 19th century by the House of Savoy on the rock overlooking the village of Bard, in the Aosta Valley. After a long period of abandonment, the fort has been totally restored with interventions inspired by conservative recovery: it was opened to visitors in January 2006. It currently hosts exhibitions of ancient, modern, contemporary art and photography.

Castel Savoia(Savoy Castle) is a historic residence located in Gressoney-Saint-Jean, Italy. It is a three-storey eclectic villa characterized by the presence of five towers. The grounds of the castle house the alpine botanical garden "Savoy Castle Alpine Botanical Garden".

The castle of Verrès is one of the most famous medieval Aosta Valley manors. Built as a military fortress by Ibleto di Challant in the fourteenth century, it was one of the first examples of a monobloc castle, consisting of a single building unlike the older manors formed by a series of buildings enclosed by a wall. It stands on a rocky promontory that dominates the town of Verrès and the Val d'Ayas road.

The Sundial House is one of the most famous castles in the Valle d'Aosta. It is located in the capital of Issogne, on the hydrographic right of the Dora Baltea, and appears as a Renaissance stately home, creating a sort of contrast with the austere castle of Verrès which is almost opposite the opposite side of the river. Famous are its inner courtyard, with the fountain of the pomegranate and the colorful arcades, a rare example of Alpine painting medieval.