Viganella

Viganella
Comune
Comune di Viganella
Viganella, 2005
Viganella
Location of Viganella in Italy
Coordinates: 46°3′N 8°11′E / 46.050°N 8.183°E / 46.050; 8.183Coordinates: 46°3′N 8°11′E / 46.050°N 8.183°E / 46.050; 8.183
Country Italy
Region Piedmont
Province Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola (VB)
Government
 • Mayor Pierfranco Midali
Area
 • Total 13.7 km2 (5.3 sq mi)
Elevation 1,012 m (3,320 ft)
Population (Dec. 2004)
 • Total 185
 • Density 14/km2 (35/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code 28030
Dialing code 0324

Viganella is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 120 kilometres (75 mi) northeast of Turin and about 30 kilometres (19 mi) northwest of Verbania. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 185 and an area of 13.7 square kilometres (5.3 sq mi).[1]

Viganella borders the following municipalities: Antrona Schieranco, Calasca-Castiglione, Montescheno, Seppiana.

Winter lighting

For its extreme landscape position, the town does not get direct sunlight for 83 days per year, between November and January. In November 2006 local administrators set up a giant mirror with adjustable, computer-controlled orientation on the mountainside, consisting of 14 sheets of steel which together are 8 metres (26 ft) wide and 5 metres (16 ft) high. The mirror functions as a heliostat, tracking the sun so that sunlight always reflects onto the town square.[2][3] The mirror was built at a cost of €100,000, or approximately €540 per resident.[2]

The town was featured in a 2009 Italian/Canadian film called Lo Specchio (The Mirror).

Demographics

See also

  • Rjukan, a town in Norway also uses mirrors to illuminate the town.

References

  1. ↑ All demographics and other statistics: Italian statistical institute Istat.
  2. 1 2 "Brilliant idea: mirror lights up village". The Times, UK. 12 November 2006.
  3. ↑ BBC picture
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