Cromlech

Nestled in the silence of the Little St. Bernard slopes, at a formidable altitude for pre-Celtic times, lies one of Italy’s most enigmatic archaeological treasures: the Cromlech of La Thuile. Perched at 2,188 metres above sea level, near Lake Verney, this remarkable megalithic structure has stood since 3000 B.C., bearing witness to humanity’s profound connection with nature – a dialogue marked by respect and attentiveness to its myriad forms and seasonal changes, and the various civilisations that have passed through here. 

If the concept of a Cromlech is still somewhat elusive, think of it as akin to a miniature Stonehedge or the stone circles of Carnac. The term cromlech refers to a circle of stones (from the Welsh words crom, meaning circle, and lech, meaning stone), or menhirs that delineate a sacred space, often serving as a temple dedicated to the sun or an astronomical observatory.
The Cromlech of Little St. Bernard is no exception: It consists of 46 stones arranged in a circle with a diameter of 72 metres, and likely included a dolmen at the centre (possibly a megalithic tomb featuring two upright stones topped with a lintel). 
Its role as an astronomical observatory (or crop calendar) is evidenced by a particularly large stone within the circle, used to track the sun’s direction during the summer solstice.

This is why on 21 June, the Cromlech in La Thuile offers a fleeting yet extraordinary astronomical spectacle: the setting sun, positioned behind the Lancebranlette saddle (the mountain towering above the Cromlech), casts a semi-circular shadow for about half a minute, which encircles the megalithic structure perfectly, leaving the sacred centre bathed in light.

Its location, so close to an Alpine pass, adds to its significance as a landmark for those who, over the centuries, have come face to face with these mountains, the “border” and discovery.
The allure of La Thuile’s Cromlech “transcends” its historical and archaeological importance, transporting us to an era when interactions with the mysteries of nature, the changing seasons and sometimes even the disappearance of the sun, were still palpable.

The site was undoubtedly sacred to all the peoples who have inhabited this region, from the Celts and the ancient Romans to contemporary Catholics. Just a few metres away from the Cromlech stands “Jupiter’s Column”, a Roman relic, atop which a wooden statue of St Bernard, patron saint of mountaineers and alpinists, was later placed.