Moncenisio: Mountain History, Pilgrimage Routes and Landscape

Moncenisio Between Mountain Landscape and History

Moncenisio combines religious tradition, historic routes and an impressive mountain landscape. Around the town, you will encounter the Chiesa di San Giorgio, the Ecomuseo “Le Terre al Confine”, Lago del Moncenisio and sections of the Via Francigena. This makes it possible to tailor your stay according to your interests, combining culture, nature observation, walks or historically themed hikes.

Church, Festival and Religious Tradition

The present-day building of the Chiesa di San Giorgio replaced the former parish church in 1659. The main façade features a carved wooden portal depicting Saint George slaying the dragon. The church is also part of the “Chiese a porte aperte” tour and can be visited independently with the help of new technologies. The patronal festival of the municipality of Moncenisio is dedicated to Saint George. It is celebrated on the last Sunday in April in Ferrera Moncenisio with a characteristic procession.

Remembering Life in the Mountain Region

The Biblioteca comunale di Moncenisio includes the Centro di Documentazione Alpina. Its focus is on texts about the mountains, the Alpine passes and the cultural memory of mountain communities. Another perspective is offered by the Ecomuseo “Le Terre al Confine” at Via Trento 9, 10050 Moncenisio. It explores the ethnographic heritage of the mountain region: milk processing, haymaking, porters and mountain guides, as well as festivals, legends and local customs.

The Cappella di San Giuseppe is also one of the cultural attractions. The 18th-century chapel preserves a cycle of Stations of the Cross panels created by contemporary Piedmontese artists under the direction of painter Lia Laterza. Forte Varisello adds a military-historical dimension. It was built between 1877 and 1880 as a pentagonal fort in a ditch with two firing positions.

Lago del Moncenisio and Mountain Nature

Lago del Moncenisio has a dam built around the 1970s and lies at an altitude of 2,083 metres near the watershed between the Valle di Susa and the French Maurienne Valley. The surrounding peaks offer opportunities for walks in nature. The Ecomuseo “Le Terre al Confine” also has an area dedicated to the fauna and flora of the mountain forests around Moncenisio. The animals covered there include ibex, wild boar, foxes, hares and squirrels.

Historic Routes and Hiking Trails

The Via Francigena in the Val di Susa extends for more than 170 kilometres, has two historic variants and runs downhill from Moncenisio and Monginevro towards Turin. The Strada Reale del Moncenisio was built between the 17th and 18th centuries and was an important transport route of the Via Francigena between Italy and France. Today, the historic Strada Reale del Moncenisio offers a trekking experience for those interested in hiking and history.

The Forte Varisello–Lago del Moncenisio route is a snowshoe trail with a walking time of 1 hour and 30 minutes and 378 metres of ascent; its starting point is in 10050 Moncenisio.

Ecomuseum Tour Throughout the Year

During the Christmas season, a historical nativity play brings the old mill, bakery and washhouse of Moncenisio to life.

Discover More Destinations

More places for planning your trip to Italy: Parella, Casalborgone, Castagnole Piemonte, San Mauro Torinese, Ruà, Caselle Torinese, Marentino, Brosso

To the overarching travel overview: Turin.