2026 marks the 500th anniversary of the start of work on the Pertus di Colombano Romean, an extraordinary feat of Alpine engineering built between 1526 and 1533. To celebrate this important anniversary, Colombano 500 has been launched, with a programme running from July to October and further initiatives also planned for 2027. The programme begins on 4 July at the Fort of Exilles with the conference Beyond the Rock. The Pertus di Colombano Romean: history, science and alpine tradition, attended by scholars and experts from various fields. On the same day, the travelling theatre production The gift of water will make its debut; this new production by ArTeMuDa APS is dedicated to the feat of Colombano Romean, with further performances scheduled for August. Over the summer, Pro Loco Exilles will organise night-time walks inspired by Alessandro Perissinotto’s novel The song of Colombano, whilst the film programme, organised in collaboration with the National Cinema Museum Association, will feature screenings dedicated to the theme of the mountains. Between August and September, the Colombano Romean Ecomuseum of the Cozie Alps Parks Authority will also organise guided tours of the Pertus. The project also includes performances, historical re-enactments, installations and exhibitions dedicated to Pertus and the memor
