An integral part of all children's stories is the artwork that goes with the words. And here is where I take you to a little known corner of Italy--Vernante--the last home of the definitive illustrator of Pinocchio, Attilio Mussino. Vernante is between the sea and the Maritime Alpsin the Piemonte region.
Like Collodi in Tuscany, the city of Pinocchio, Vernante has become "il paese dello zio di Pinocchio," the town of the Uncle of Pinocchio. Here in 1989 two townspeople started to paint murals based on Mussino's work, transforming the walls of houses into treasures of the imagination, an outdoor memorial to the work of the master Mussino.
Stroll the streets to absorb the story of Pinocchio; there are murals all over. Vernante is a charming little town in any case,set in anarrowvalley surrounded by theAlpi Marittime, the Maritime Alps.
Tip: Before you leave Vernante, stop in for a sip of tea (or something stronger) at the Pub "Il Cavallino" in the piazza de 1'ala 20. You won't belive your eyes. Il Cavallino is an authentic Irish Pub. The owner has a passion for all things celtic, including music. He speaks English and is glad to be able to practice on you--and he's a wealth of information on the history and festivals of the region. We attended a spectacular mountain music festival on his advice.
Click for some pictures of the murals and other manifestations of Pinocchio you'll find in Vernante.
From Vernante, you can visit the Maritime Alps Park, or head on down the coast to Liguria. Another town I enjoy in Piedmonte is Cuneo to the North. Click for a mapand vicinity information.
