9 Hidden Gems Things to do in Susa Valley That You Shouldn't Miss

This monument is a symbol of Piedmont Region and a place that inspired the writer Umberto Eco to conceive the best-seller “Il nome della rosa” ( The name of the rose ) , the Sacra of San Michele is an ancient abbey built between 983 and 987 on the top of mount Pirchiriano, 40 km from Turin. From it’s towers you can admire Turin and a breathtaking view of the Val di Susa. Inside the main Church of the Sacra, dating from the twelfth century, are buried members of House of Savoy (one of the oldest royal family in the world). Dedicated to the cult of the Archangel Michele, defender of the Christian people, the Sacra di San Michele fits inside a ruote of pilgrimage (long over 2000 km) wich runs from Saint-Michel ( France ) to Monte Sant’Angelo (Puglia). The history, the spiritual value and the landscape that sorrounds it trasform the Sacra in a special destination for visitors from all over the world.

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Do you know that just few steps form Piazza Conte Rosso, a cannonball from XVII century got stuck into a wall of one of the old buildings? That above a stone column of one of the most precious houses, a cheeky child is pulling faces to the passers-by? That in the prisons of its castle the rebel prince Amedeo d'Acaja of the house of Savoy was confined, and that his spirit is said to still wander in the mists of the lake where he drowned? Park your car in the areas indicated on the map, and set out to find those pecultiarities: you will be surprised by the beauty of the old town, with his heart in Piazza Conte Rosso and in the ruins of the castle above. The information boards along the way will familiarize you with Avigliana's history, its old places, beautiful churches, the Clock Tower, the ancient town gates. Decide for yourself where you wish to start the tour indicated on the map: whether you are arriving by train or are you coming from the lakes. After that, take your time to stroll the narrow alleys: walk slowly and discover ist hidden beauty!

It was probably built by the Marquesses Arduinici of Turin (it was probably Arduino the Hairless who built the first settlement of "Castrum Avilianae") on the top of Mount Pezzulano at the beginning of the XIth century. This castle was a seat for the royal court and as such it was used by the Counts of Savoy at least from 1137. In the XIIth century Emperor Frederick (Redbeard) destroyed the castle and burnt the town and his son Henry VI brought new destructions at the end of the same century. Thomas of Savoy rebuilt the castle in 1189 and since then it became the residence of an important lord of the Count of Savoy. In 1691, after conquering it, the French Marshal Catinat got it definitively demolished, leaving the remains we see nowadays.