Susa Valley

<< Piedmont

The Susa Valley is a long valley among the Alps west of Turin. This is one of the main alpine valleys in Italy and it takes its name from its main town, Susa. The valley is known among tourists for its gorgeous natural environment and many popular ski resorts, but it also houses several historic landmarks.

Susa

Susa is the main center of the Susa Valley, a valley among the Alps west of Turin. Founded in ancient times, it became an important Roman city with the name Segusium, and it was the capital of the Roman province of Alpes Cottiae. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the town suffered a decline, but it remained a center of regional importance. Today Susa houses numerous Roman ruins and medieval buildings, and it is a popular tourist destination also thanks to its position among beautiful mountains.

✪ Roman Ruins of Susa

A few structures dating back to the golden age of Susa as a Roman city can still be seen to this day. The most iconic of these is the Arch of Augustus, a triumphal arch erected in the 1st century BCE. The archaeological area next to the arch includes an ancient aqueduct, adjacent to the Castle of Marquise Adelaide (Castello della Contessa Adelaide). This fortified palace was erected during the Middle Ages over a previous Roman building and now it hosts a museum. Other archaeological areas around the city include the ruins of an amphitheater, a temple, and some sections of the ancient defensive walls.

Susa Cathedral

Also known as: Cathedral of San Giusto

The Susa Cathedral is the main religious site in the city. The church was erected in the 11th century in Romanesque style and it is adjacent to the imposing Roman gate known as Porta Savoia, dating from the 4th century. The church houses various artworks from the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Modern era.

Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art of Susa

The Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art of Susa (Museo Diocesano d’Arte Sacra di Susa) is a museum of religious art in Susa, which hosts a wide range of artworks dating between the 7th and 20th century. The collection includes several frescoes, sculptures, paintings, and religious objects.

Avigliana

Avigliana is a small town west of Turin, located at the foot of the hills and next to two small lakes. Thanks to its castle, the town was a relevant center during the Middle Ages.

Avigliana Castle

The Avigliana Castle was erected in the 10th century, maybe on the site of a previous fortification. In the Late Middle Ages it was among the most important castles in the area, but it was heavily damaged by numerous sieges. The fort was abandoned after being destroyed again in the 1691, and now only a few ruins remain.

Sant’Ambrogio di Torino

Sant’Ambrogio di Torino is a small town located at the start of the Susa Valley west of Turin. The town hosts a few historic buildings but it is best known for its proximity to the Sacra di San Michele, located on top of a nearby mountain.

✪ Sacra di San Michele

The Sacra di San Michele is a religious complex located on top of a mountain overlooking Sant’Ambrogio di Torino, and it is one of the most iconic monuments of Piedmont. The abbey was founded in the 10th century and it became an important pilgrimage site in the Late Middle Ages. After a period of decline, the monastery was closed in 1622 but it was reopened in 1835. The imposing complex features many Romanesque and Gothic elements, the ruins of some medieval structures, and various historic frescoes and other artworks. Thanks to its position, it also offers a wonderful view of the surrounding region.

Novalesa

Novalesa is a town in the Metropolitan City of Turin, located near the Mont Cenis Pass and the border with France. The town is best known for its historic abbey.

Novalesa Abbey

The Novalesa Abbey (Abbazia di Novalesa) is a Benedictine monastery founded in 726. Over the following decades it became one of the most powerful abbeys in Northern Italy, ruling over many possessions, but it was destroyed by Saracen raiders in 906. The complex was rebuilt in the 11th century and later expanded and reworked. Suppressed in the 19th century, the monastery was reopened in 1973 with the return of the monks. The abbey features numerous medieval frescoes and works of art.

Exilles

Exilles is a small hamlet in the Susa Valley west of Turin. The town has ancient origins as the area was already inhabited in the pre-Roman era, but it is best known for its large fort.

Fort of Exilles

The Fort of Exilles (Forte di Exilles) is a fortified complex originally erected during the Middle Ages. For centuries it was among the most important castles in the region, long disputed between the Savoy family and France, and it was reworked and expanded numerous times. Demolished during the Napoleonic occupation, it was rebuilt in the 19th century and finally abandoned in 1943. Now restored, it houses a museum of mountaineering.

Claviere

Claviere is a small town in the Metropolitan City of Turin, located on the Italian side of the Col de Montgenèvre, at the border with France. Due to its strategic position, it has been inhabited since ancient times and long disputed between the surrounding powers. After World War II, the village was split in half between Italy and France, but in 1974 it was reunited in Italian territory. Claviere is part of the ski area of Via Lattea, along with other nearby towns.

Ponte Tibetano Cesana Claviere

The Ponte Tibetano Cesana Claviere is one of the longest simple suspension bridges in the world, located near Claviere. The bridge crosses the gorges near the town and offers a great view of the surrounding mountains.

Sestriere

Sestriere is a small town located among the Alps west of Turin, and it is the highest municipality in Italy, standing at 2,035 meters above sea level. The town is a popular ski resort and the main center of the Via Lattea ski area, which includes various other towns around Sestriere.

✪ Ski Resort of Sestriere

The town of Sestriere was developed as a ski resort in the 1930s by Giovanni Agnelli. Now it is one of the most popular winter destinations in Italian Alps, hosting numerous pistes. Sestriere is also a sporting hub, having hosted some competitions of the 2006 Winter Olympics, and housing the highest golf course in Europe.