Viganella

Viganella is a frazione of Borgomezzavalle, a comune (municipality) in the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 120 kilometres (75 mi) northeast of Turin and about 30 kilometres (19 mi) northwest of Verbania.

Due to the high ridge to the south, the town remains shadowed for 83 days per year, between November and January.

The mirror functions as a heliostat, tracking the Sun so that sunlight always reflects onto the town square.

According to a former mayor: "The idea behind the project doesn't have a scientific basis, but a human one.

It comes from a desire to let people socialise in winter when the town shuts down due to the cold and the dark.