The name derives from "verna" that in the langue d'oc means the alder, a tree, common in the area and featured in the municipality coats of arms. A mountain village in the province of Cuneo, located in the middle Vermenagna Valley and surrounded by ancient beech forests, which extend for nine hectares and are part of the Maritime Alps Natural Park, created in 1995 by the merge of Park Argentera and the Forest and Lakes Reserve of Palanfré. It is a protected area of almost 28,000 hectares of land, which includes the town of Aisone, Valdieri and Entracque. It is famous for the most memorable scenes from the life of Pinocchio, created in part by the illustrator Attilio Mussino, which have been reproduced on the walls of some houses. A total of 90 well-exposed murals created by famous artists such as Carlet and Meo.
Of Roman origins, the town was mentioned for the first time in an official text of the XI century. Vernante submitted the same history and fate of the other nearby municipalities in Piedmont and suffered several dominations. At first it was occupied by the troops of Cuneo, then, in the XIII century it was under the rule of the Marquis of Saluzzo and later the town belonged to the Counts of Tenda, a County in which it remained independent until the second half of the XVI century. Under the Lascaris in 1279, Vernante lived a particularly rich period, thanks to its strategic position, in fact, it is an obliged passage between Piedmont and the French Provence region. In 1581 the county was ceded to the Savoy.
Not to miss:
- the Parish Church of St. Nicholas, of ancient origins, initially it featured one major nave and twos aisles. Enlarged in the XVIII century, it is flanked by a Bell tower and in the second half of XIX century was covered by a dome. The building presents a façade decorated with frescoes and keeps inside two XIX century marble altars that flank the main altar;
- the Sanctuary of Madonna della Valle, dating from the XV century, features Greek cross plan and cupolas enriched with decorations and paintings from the early XIX. Inside it keeps four antique wooden statues depicting saints, the throne of the Virgin, dating from the late XVII century in Baroque style, the wooden statue of the Virgin Mary covered in a sumptuous robe;
- the Turusela, a fortified castle erected in 1280 by the Earl of Tenda in defense of his fief. Located in a clearing with a location from where it is possible to enjoy a superb panorama that sweeps over the Alps and the whole town.