Beyond the Porta di Saragossa is the much-visited church of the [Madonna di S. Luca], on the top of a hill commanding a beautiful view. It is approached by a portico of 640 arches, which begins just beyond the gate, and extends to the church, a distance of nearly 3 m. This portico was begun in 1672, but many years elapsed before it was finished. The church derives its name from possessing a picture reputed to have been painted by St. Luke. The best pictures have been removed from the church. Outside the same gate is the [Certosa], formerly a Carthusian convent, now a cemetery. The church contains some pictures, and the chains of some Algerine slaves with the amount of ransom attached to each.
269¾ m. from Turin and 21¼ from Florence is [Pistoja] (see p. 231), and 291 m. from Turin is [Florence] (see p. 233).
[ St. Pierre to Courmayeur by the
Little St. Bernard.]
(74 m. N.E. [See Map, page 290].)
COURMAYEUR 74 ST. PIERRE D’ALBIGNY (see [p. 289]), 15 m. S.E. from Chambery, and 45½ m. N.W. from Modane.
ST. PIERRE 14 60 [ALBERTVILLE], pop. 5000 on the Arly, and 1180 ft. above the sea. Inns: Million; Balances. A diligence runs between Albertville and Annecy, 22 m. N.
22 52 [LA ROCHE CEVINS], pop. 1000. Inns: Croix Blanche; Lion d’Or. Hidden and sheltered behind a great rock which closes the valley. 2 m. beyond is the defile Pas de Briançon.
ST. PIERRE
COURMAYEUR 31 43 [MOUTIERS], pop. 2100, and 600 ft. above the sea-level, on the confluence of the Doron with the Isère. Inns: Couronne; Courriers. One mile from the town is the Roc du Diable, rising to the height of 8200 ft. At the base are the salt springs, utilised both
by salt-works and a bathing establishment. From Moutiers the road extends up a narrow and picturesque defile, following the course of the Isère, past St. Marcel, pop. 500, then ascends to the summit of a rock called the Detroit du Ciel, 945 ft. above the bed of the river, where the valley is only 145 ft. wide; and after this enters a rich plain with the village of Centron. On the opposite side of the river is Mont Jovet, 8375 ft., commanding a splendid view. Then, after passing the village of Villette, pop. 500, we reach
Aime. Seez.