News
Italian village basks in reflected sunshine
18 December 2006
Holidaymakers in the Italian village of Viganella may notice quite a difference from previous visits if they were to arrive in the area now.
Located in the north of Italy and surrounded by mountains, the residents of Viganella are usually plunged into darkness during the winter months.
However, the 185 people who live in the region have become quite fed up with the winter darkness, leading to the mayor asking a team of scientists to solve the issue.
An idea was conjured up and now the villagers are basking in the reflected glory of the sun as it rebounds off a giant mirror.
The mirror measures eight metres by five metres and is positioned high in the mountains.
To ensure the sunlight is always directed towards the villagers, the mirror is computer-driven to follow the sun's path.
'I've waited for this moment for seven years,' the mayor of Viganella, Pierfranco Midali, told Italian news agency Ansa.
The project cost almost 100,000 (£67,000) to complete and has made the small village of Viganella the envy of many others in a similar situation.
'It wasn't easy,' added Mr Midali. 'We had to find the proper material, learn abut the technology and especially find the money.'
© Adfero Ltd
Located in the north of Italy and surrounded by mountains, the residents of Viganella are usually plunged into darkness during the winter months.
However, the 185 people who live in the region have become quite fed up with the winter darkness, leading to the mayor asking a team of scientists to solve the issue.
An idea was conjured up and now the villagers are basking in the reflected glory of the sun as it rebounds off a giant mirror.
The mirror measures eight metres by five metres and is positioned high in the mountains.
To ensure the sunlight is always directed towards the villagers, the mirror is computer-driven to follow the sun's path.
'I've waited for this moment for seven years,' the mayor of Viganella, Pierfranco Midali, told Italian news agency Ansa.
The project cost almost 100,000 (£67,000) to complete and has made the small village of Viganella the envy of many others in a similar situation.
'It wasn't easy,' added Mr Midali. 'We had to find the proper material, learn abut the technology and especially find the money.'
© Adfero Ltd
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