Discover Susa: Roman Heritage, Sacred Art and Trails

Roman Traces and Sacred Art

When exploring Susa, you will encounter sacred art and Roman history. The Cattedrale di San Giusto was founded in 1027. In the left corner of its façade, it incorporates one of the Roman gate towers of the Porta Savoia, also known as Porta del Paradiso. Via a ramp at the entrance, the cathedral is also accessible to visitors with reduced mobility.

Another prominent reference to Susa’s Roman past is the Arco di Augusto. It is one of the four best-preserved Roman arches in Italy and can be reached via the paved Via dell'Impero Romano. Access via the paved Via dell'Impero Romano also provides a specific route to this historic site within Susa. For visitors interested in cultural history, this creates a clear focus on surviving evidence from the Roman period.

Archaeological Tour of Susa

The Museo Diocesano di Arte Sacra is also part of the town’s cultural profile: it is the central headquarters of the diocesan museum system. Susa’s archaeological walk preserves the most important heritage of Roman and Celtic remains in the Val di Susa area. Susa is also the central hub of the archaeological route through Val di Susa. The museum site complements the archaeological walk with sacred art, while the walk preserves the Roman and Celtic remains in Val di Susa. Those interested in different historical periods can therefore explore these subjects through several interconnected focal points.

Castello della Contessa Adelaide and Porta Savoia

Allow an average of one to two hours when planning your visit to the Castello della Contessa Adelaide. For your daily itinerary, this average one- to two-hour period can be scheduled as a separate time block. The castle offers guided tours for school groups, which must be booked in advance. For school groups, the required advance booking for the visit must be added to the guided tour arrangements. Porta Savoia is also known as Porta del Paradiso and is the only surviving gate of Susa’s Roman city walls.

Surroundings with Abbey, Fortresses and Church

Further buildings and sites can be found around Susa. The Abbazia di Novalesa monastery and the Forte di Exilles fort are located in the surrounding area of Susa. The Chiesa Santa Maria Maggiore church is also nearby. Further afield in the region is the Fort de La Turra fort.

The Via Francigena as an Additional Highlight

The Via Francigena leads from Colle del Moncenisio to Susa.

For your further travel planning, you can also compare Torre Pellice, Usseglio, Caluso, Marentino, Usseaux, San Giusto Canavese, San Secondo Di Pinerolo and Cuceglio.

For the overview of the wider region: Turin.