Italy’s Artificial Sun

Italy’s known for its glorious food and weather so it’s quite bizarre to hear a story about a town that disappears in the dark of winter.

Dating all the way back to the 13th century, located between Switzerland & Italy, Viganella only found a solution to its missing sunlight until 2006 by installing a giant mirror that captures a glimpse that otherwise would be completely blocked by its surrounding mountains. 

The mirror being eight metres wide and five metres tall allows the town to have natural sunlight for 6 hours a day, reflecting directly into the main square from November to February until it’s covered again for the remaining seasons. 

Viganella has unfortunately seen its population decline throughout generations, but today the town’s population consisting of 163 people are of course entirely grateful. 

Which brings me to the more curious part of this story and one I hope to some day understand. How much love and dedication does one need to remain in an isolated town away from civilisation despite everyone else leaving? and how much comfort and peace must that bring?