Caprie: Nature, Rocca Sella and Historic Churches

Caprie combines impressive landscapes with churches, chapels and traces of history. The gorge of the Torrente Sessi, the Via ferrata di Caprie and Rocca Sella each offer a different focus; there are also churches, chapels and historic paths.

Gorge and mountain sports on the Torrente Sessi

The Torrente Sessi flows into a spectacular gorge near Peroldrado. The gorge of the Torrente Sessi is a popular destination for canyoning, also known by the Italian term torrentismo. The rock faces around the gorge are suitable for climbing. The Falesia del Cevrè is also located in the upper valley of the Torrente Sessi.

The characteristic wooden walkways known as “Le Pianche” can be used to cross the Torrente Sessi on foot. The Via ferrata di Caprie can also be undertaken year-round and is suitable for people trying this sport for the first time. The upper section, the “Trapezio di Magia”, features a 25-metre-long Tibetan bridge, which can be bypassed. There is a car park on the road to Novaretto; from there, the route’s starting point can be reached in about 10 minutes.

Rocca Sella and routes for active days

Monte Caprasio is now known as Rocca Sella and is located at the entrance to the Susa Valley, on the northern side of the valley opposite Pirchiriano. Rocca Sella is a destination offering views over the Turin plain and the lower Susa Valley. Among the routes in the municipality of Caprie, the Vertical Rocca Sella is the most demanding sporting route and is designed for mountain runners. It includes a “Mezzo Vertical” from Novaretto to Celle with 600 metres of elevation gain, as well as a “Vertical” from Novaretto to Rocca Sella with 1,100 metres of elevation gain.

Caprie has numerous cycle paths as well as paved and unpaved roads suitable for outings on road, cross and enduro motorcycles. The ancient Via Francigena passes through Caprie and adds a historic route through the town to the sporting opportunities.

Churches, crypts and local history

The Parrocchiale di Santa Maria Assunta is distinguished by a Romanesque bell tower. The parish church is one of the oldest buildings in the Susa Valley and is one of the few buildings with a crypt. This crypt dates back to the 11th century, can be reached through an interior passage and a steep old stone staircase, and therefore has a particularly distinctive entrance. The Parrocchiale di Santa Maria Assunta also contains Romanesque frescoes depicting the Virgin Mary and the symbols of the Evangelists.

The Parrocchiale di San Pancrazio is a Baroque church consecrated in 1726. Its Cappella del Beneficio Coppo contains a polychrome marble altar from the 18th century. The present-day Parrocchiale di San Rocco in Novaretto dates from the second half of the 19th century and is designed in the neo-Romanesque style. It contains an altarpiece from the school of Defendente Ferrari. The Cappella di San Rocco was built in 1733 in gratitude for the end of the plague.

The Borgo di Celle sul monte Caprasio includes a church set into the natural rock, known as “la grotta”. The name of the small Borgo di Celle sul monte Caprasio is probably connected with the hermit monks who lived there around the year 1000. Monte Caprasio was chosen by Johannes Vincent as a place of hermitage. His cult is still celebrated today in the rock chapel in Celle near the parish church.

Further facets of Caprie

The new Bertone headquarters in Caprie was inaugurated on 15 October 1972. The Bertone car design centre in Caprie houses an extensive exhibition of prototypes, which can be visited during events. “La mela e dintorni” adds another local touch: the initiative is dedicated to discovering and promoting the apples of the Susa Valley.

More destinations

For further travel planning, you can also save Scarmagno, Dubbione Di Pinasca, Moncenisio, Germagnano, Condove, Borgone Susa, Pralormo and Airasca for your trip.

For the higher-level travel overview: Turin.