Collegio Salesiano Madonna dei Boschi

Hidden among the wooded hills near Peveragno in northern Italy stands the vast Collegio Salesiano Madonna dei Boschi, one of the most remarkable abandoned educational complexes in the region. The site is closely connected to the historic Sanctuary of Madonna dei Boschi, a place of religious importance whose origins date back several centuries.

During the 1960s, the Salesians of Don Bosco expanded the area by constructing a large modern college and boarding school. Designed to accommodate hundreds of students, the complex served as both an educational institution and a residential boarding facility for young people from across northern Italy. At its peak, the college was a vibrant community with classrooms, dormitories, recreational spaces, and religious facilities.

Like many religious schools in Italy, the institution faced declining enrollment during the 1970s and 1980s. The number of students decreased, maintenance costs increased, and the large complex became increasingly difficult to sustain. The school gradually ceased operations, with the final closure occurring in 1987.

After its closure, the property remained largely unused. Ownership changed over the years, and several redevelopment proposals were discussed, but the sheer size of the complex and the high restoration costs prevented major progress. As a result, the former college has stood empty for decades, slowly becoming a landmark of modern abandonment in the Piedmont region.