San Dalmas of Tende

Saint-Dalmas de Tende has a long history in the valley. In the 3rd century, Saint Dalmas is said to have evangelized the region, giving his name to the village. In 731, the Benedictine monks of Saint-Dalmas de Pedona founded a convent, shortly before the arrival of the Saracens.
Popular tradition has it that, under Saracen occupation, black slaves and villagers were employed in the Vallauria mine, while captive monks transported the ore to Conventi. Despite the invasions, the monks...