In 2026, the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the construction of the Pertus of Colombano Romean (1526-1533) will be celebrated: this extraordinary Alpine hydraulic work is one of the most remarkable engineering achievements of its time. To mark this important milestone, the Colombano 500 project has been launched, featuring a rich program of cultural, scientific, and artistic initiatives from July to October. The official opening is scheduled for Saturday 4 July at the Fort of Exilles, with the conference Beyond the Rock: the Pertus of Colombano Romean between history, science, and alpine tradition. The event will bring together scholars and experts in history, archival studies, geology, archaeology, anthropology, and environmental sciences to provide a multidisciplinary perspective on the Pertus, exploring not only its technical aspects but also the historical, social, and cultural context that made its construction possible. On the same day, the travelling theatre production The gift of water, a new creation by ArTeMuDa APS inspired by the life and extraordinary achievement of Colombano Romean, will make its debut. The conference proceedings will be published in a special Cahier of the Colombano Romean Ecomuseum, creating a lasting scientific and cultural record of this significant anniversary.
