Susa Valley

Susa Valley

The Susa Valley (Italian: Val di Susacode: it is deprecated , French: Val de Suse, Occitan: Val d'Ors) is a valley in the Piedmont region of northern Italy, located between the Graian Alps in the north and the Cottian Alps in the south. It is the longest valley in Italy. It extends over 50 km (31 mi) in an east-west direction from the French border to the outskirts of Turin. The valley takes its name from the city of Susa which lies in the valley. The Dora Riparia river, a tributary of the Po, flows through the valley.

A motorway runs through the valley from Turin to Chambéry in France, over the Col du Mont Cenis or through the Fréjus tunnel, and to Briançon, also in France, over the Col de Montgenèvre.

Geography

Susa's Arch of Augustus

Among the notable peaks that surround the valley are:

• Pointe de Ronce - 3.612 m
• Rocciamelone - 3.538 m
• Pierre Menue - 3.505 m
• Rognosa d'Etiache - 3.382 m
• Punta Sommeiller - 3.332 m
• Punta Ramiere - 3.303 m
• Mont Chaberton - 3.131 m
• Monte Orsiera - 2.890
• Monte Colombano - 1.658 m
• Monte Musinè - 1.150 m

History

During the Roman age, Augustus formed an alliance with the Segusini of Cottii Regnum to link Italy and France by building a road through the Valley and over the Col de Montgenevre. During the Middle Ages, the road was called Via Francigena, and pilgrims passed through Mont Cenis and the Susa Valley on their way to Rome. It was one of the most used Alpine passes from the Middle Ages to the Nineteenth Century. Several abbeys were built to accommodate pilgrims, such as Novalesa Abbey founded in 726AD on the foot of a mountain and the monumental Sacra di San Michele abbey.

Susa Valley in access to Italy from France

Locale

Cultural heritage monuments in Susa Valley

Saint Michael's Abbey and the Alps of Susa Valley

• Sacra di San Michele (Saint Michael's Abbey), established in the 11th century on the top of Pirchiriano Mountain, at the valley's entrance from Turin.
• Novalesa Abbey, established by Patrice Abbo of Provence in 726AD en route to the Mont Cenis Pass.
• Susa Cathedral, ancient San Giusto Abbey. in Susa, established by Olderico Manfredi in 1029.
• Susa's Arch of Augustus, established in 8BC.
• Montebenedetto Charterhouse (Villar Focchiardo), established in 1197.
• Castle of Bruzolo, established in 1227.
• Casaforte di Chianocco
• Fort of Exilles

Casaforte Chianocco vista del fronte sud

Turin–Lyon high-speed railway

Protesters have fought a 10-year battle to prevent a 57 km (35 mi) rail tunnel being built through the valley.