Perched at 1,233 meters above sea level on a rocky spur overlooking Valle Maira, the church of San Peyre in Stroppo awaits you along the road leading to Elva.

Built between the 12th and 13th centuries, it features a simple gabled façade, a slate roof, and a small bell gable. Rising above it and the enclosure of the old cemetery is the Gothic bell tower. The stone portal is topped by a large Romanesque round arch.

The interior has three naves. The central nave ends in two apses that were originally small open chapels. In the main apse, several paintings from the second half of the 14th century, by an anonymous painter, depict a large figure of Christ enthroned flanked by Saints Peter and Paul, the church’s patron saints. On the side walls you’ll find the twelve apostles, while the symbols of the Evangelists stand out against the blue background of the vault. The Annunciation and the Saint Christopher above the bell tower chapel are by the same master. A different artist created in the small chapel the Madonna enthroned between Saint Peter and Saint Anthony Abbot and, in the arch intrados, Saint Bernard of Menthon chaining a devil and Saints Barbara and Catherine of Alexandria. It’s the smaller apse, however, that holds the greatest surprises, with a third master, possibly Lombard, who created in the early decades of the 15th century the Nativity, the Annunciation to the Shepherds, the Adoration of the Magi, and the Dormition of the Virgin. Inspired by the apocryphal Gospels, they delicately depict the birth of Christ, enriching it with unique and intimate details. Quite rare is the figure of the shepherd with bagpipes. The musician, with an incredulous expression, carries one of the symbolic instruments of folk music. A fourth painter, more modest, created in the early 16th century the Saint Peter and the panel with Saints Sebastian, Roch, and Fabian.

And if you’re not yet satisfied with beauty, the panoramic view of the valley will carry your gaze far away.

• Borgata Paschero (Stroppo)

• How to visit the site

  You can pick up the key to visit the site at Locanda Al Torch in Paschero hamlet, Stroppo.   The church will also be open on SUNDAYS in JULY and AUGUST from 10 AM to 1 PM and from 3 PM to 6 PM.   Guided tours on Saturdays: August 2 September 6 October 4 from 10 AM to 1 PM On the same dates, the "Escolo de Mountanho" museum will be open at the Town Hall of Stroppo.