Condove: Churches, Castle Ruins and Alpine History

If you would like to get to know Condove through its buildings, museums and mountain landscapes, you will find various points of interest: Romanesque and Baroque churches, rock carvings, the ruins of Castello del Conte Verde and a high-altitude sanctuary.

Churches, Frescoes and Rock Carvings

The Chiesa di San Rocco is a Romanesque church dating from the 12th century. It is located in the centre of Condove, is accessible by car and has public parking spaces next to the building. Excavations uncovered fragments of frescoes on the triumphal arch and in the old apse, which may be among the oldest surviving frescoes in the Susa Valley.

The Cappella di San Bernardo contains a 15th-century fresco cycle; a Gothic dedication dates the complex to 1430. Other specific traces of earlier cultures include the Incisioni Rupestri in Località Buia. There is a site there with rock carvings on a boulder measuring 375 × 220 × 90 cm. At the Siliodo–Camporossetto site, the rock carvings are located on a serpentinite block known as the “Roccia degli Asterischi”.

Castello del Conte Verde

The ruins of Castello del Conte Verde stand on a hill overlooking the entrance to the valley between Caprie and Condove. They are accessible from the SS24 state road; there is a car park a few metres away, followed by a short walk uphill. From the 13th century onwards, Castello del Conte Verde was known as Castrum Capriarum. At that time, it was the centre of a monastic castellany belonging to San Giusto di Susa, as well as the seat of a court and a prison.

Museums and Places of Remembrance

In Mocchie, the Museo Etnografico “La Ghindana” displays a collection of material culture representing a mountain community in this area. The museum specialises in dairy farming and alpine pasture farming. Mining took place in the Gravio Valley from the 14th to the 19th century. Also in Mocchie is the Campanile Romanico, located in the cemetery. The tower dates from the 14th century and is slightly tilted because the ground beneath it has subsided. It stands next to the cemetery and is easily accessible from the provincial road.

The Museo Valsusino della Resistenza is housed in the historic rooms of the former Officine Moncenisio. In a library and media library, it preserves original memorabilia, historical artefacts and photographic records from wartime and from the period immediately following the arrival of the Allied troops. By prior reservation, the museum organises guided tours for groups and offers educational programmes for schools.

Alpine Sanctuary and Events

The Santuario Madonna degli Angeli is an alpine sanctuary at an altitude of 1,880 metres on the Colle del Colombardo. It is a destination for pilgrims, particularly on the Feast of the Madonna.

As part of the “GustoValsusa” food and wine event series, the Fiera della Toma presents typical products, wines, honey, artisan bread, pastries and confectionery. The Sagra della Patata in Mocchie is a two-day event held on the first weekend of September. Its programme includes a market selling agricultural and craft products, sporting events, exhibitions and guided hikes.

Discover more destinations

For further travel planning, you can also explore Agliè, Dubbione Di Pinasca, San Sicario Alto, Chieri, Buttigliera Alta, Sant'anna, Lombardore and Rosta.

For the higher-level travel overview: Turin.