The Monviso Massif and the Cottian Alps as symbols of the Alpine chain and geological heritage in Piemonte, Italy.

In order to promote geosite conservation in the project called "PROactive management of GEOlogical heritage in the PIEMONTE Region", we propose a comprehensive study involving the Monviso Massif (MM) geothematic area, one of the most outstanding symbols of the Alps and particularly of the Cottian Alps. Specifically, at the MM the inventory of a number of different geosites whose conservation and development require different geologic and some additional non-geological expertises is considered: 1) some of the best preserved ophiolites in the Alps and the associated Cu-Fe mineralizations; 2) the lithostructural units in the Germanasca Valley; 3) the first primary source of jade in the Alps at the MM, and its importance in terms of Neolithic to Bronze-age polished stone implements; 4) the world-famous minerals as coesite and giant pyrope, as well as type localities for new minerals, with the carlosturanite first found and described; 5) the area, now buried under a debris flow, where Hannibal is thought to have regrouped his army while crossing the Alps; 6) the biodiversity of lichens, microfungi and cyanobacteria colonizing the ophiolites, which can give additional value for the environmental assessment and valorization of the MM outcrops. Following geodiversity identification, further stages will be devoted to develop proper plans for geodiversity conservation is this area.