We’re just a guesthouse, but we think being responsible towards the environment and our local area is the right thing to do. The house has been completely restored by local craftspeople. Our heating and hot water come from a stove that runs on wood pellets, and our electricity comes 100% from hydroelectricity. For more information read on…
Environmental Policy
The area – staying at Casa dell’Ava allows our guests to enjoy a number of large and important nature reserves in the Alps.
Casa dell’Ava is situated in an area of outstanding beauty close to three of the largest national parks in the Alps, covering a massive 2000Km2 within Italy and Switzerland. The Swiss National Park is the only National Park in Switzerland. Together with the adjoining Stelvio National Park, they form a giant area of protected land across the two countries. The Orobie Valtellinesi Park is a further protected area to the NE of Lake Como. Closer to home, there are a further two Nature Reserves and a National Monument within 30mins drive of the house. The Nature Reserve of Marmite dei Giganti contains ancient rock carvings and glacial rock formations. The Pian di Spagna Nature Reserve is an important area of wetland and sanctuary for birds migrating over one of the lowest passes in the Alps. Finally you can see the Acquafraggia Waterfalls (National Monument) from the house.
The area – the region is rich in wildlife and has some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the Alps.
The parks contain many protected species of wildlife including Golden Eagles, Ibex, Bearded Vultures, Capercaillie and Fire Salamanders. There is talk of Lynx and Wolves arriving back into the area and Brown Bears have been reintroduced into the Adamello Brenta National Park and have been seen 20km up the valley at Albigna. The area is rich and varied in plant life. There are many diverse habitats as you move from the valley forests up to the mountain tops. The Orobie Park lists nearly 600 species of rare, endemic or protected plants including lovely purple lilies and many alpine meadow flowers.
The house has been restored in a way to help conserve energy and water.
The house has been restored in a way sympathetic to its style and age, and where possible we have introduced ways to conserve energy and water. Heating and hot water for the house is provided using a stove that runs on recycled paper pellets. All electricity for the house is provided from hydroelectric schemes via an electricity coop run from the local town. Double glazed windows have been fitted throughout the house. To conserve water, we have installed a shower in the house rather than a bath. In addition both toilets are new and have reduced water flush. Split waste disposal is available in bins at the entrance to the village (paper, plastic, cardboard, glass) and further split waste disposal (organic, metal) is available in Chiavenna.
While we anticipate that most guests will arrive by car, public transport timetables are available at the house.
Guests are provided with information to help get to know the mountains and the National parks better.
Economic Policy
The area – many mountain villages in Italy are more economically depressed that you would think
Many thousands of mountain villages in the Italian Alps have been emptied by an exodus of people during the last century to larger towns and cities. These mountain villages are often in beautiful positions, but are now left empty or partly empty. Pianazzola, the village where Casa dell’Ava is situated, is no exception. While regeneration of houses in the village has begun, about 20% of the buildings are in need of restoration. Although the village has a bar and restaurant, it no longer has a shop or school.
The house has been restored using local craftsmen and now employs local people
Most of the work on the house was carried out by craftsmen living in the village. The builder, carpenter and electrician are from Pianazzola, as have generations of their families. The house is cleaned by Pina, who lives a few miles away in Chiavenna.
Visitors staying in the house will benefit the local community
Most of the income received from visitors will pass into the local community. The house was purchased from a local family, and the restoration was carried out by local craftsmen. We have written a detailed guide to the area on our website to encourage guests to explore (and spend) in the area.
Social Policy
The house has been restored in a way sympathetic to local traditions and materials
We have taken care to preserve original features of the house eg uncovering a lovely granite staircase and restoring an antique chestnut woodern floor. We have restored the roof, using original ‘piota’ stone slabs (replacing a 50% tiled roof that was added in the 1970s), terrace (replacing the concrete and iron terrace with a woodern one) and walls (stripping back the plaster to stonework underneath). This has been a major project which took place in 2021-2, and received 30% funding from the Italian government.
Guests will be made aware of local suppliers and services
Little information exists in English for visitors to this area. For this reason we have written a complete guide to the area including restaurants, activities, shops etc. This is available on our website as well as at the house. We have been working with the local tourist agency and they are using the site to help English speaking visitors, including those not staying with us. Guests are directed towards local suppliers produce etc in notes at the house. In addition our friend Mari is on hand for questions that guests may have.