The Val di Susa

The Val di Susa in Piedmont is the place in which the In The Name Of the Rose comes to life for me.



In The Name Of the Rose is one of my favourite books by Umberto Eco made into a decent film starring Sean Connery. Now you might be thinking why I am talking about books and films when I am supposed to be discussing the Val di Susa in Piedmont. Well the reason is simple. If the sinister monastery seen in the film appeals, then here you will find something just like it. Not the actual one used in the film – the exterior of which was actually a mock up - but this monastery is to all intents and purposes the place. In fact it is so special I have devoted a separate section to it.

The Pilgrims route to discovering the Val di Susa

The ideal way to tour this area is to follow the steps of those medieval pilgrims heading for Gaul. Start from Turin as they did and head for Rivoli, the first stop on this road and the gateway to the Val di Susa. Rivoli is home to the fabulous Museum of Modern Art, housed in one of the castles belonging to the Savoy Royal Family.

Following in the steps of the pilgrims to Gaul visit the twelfth century church of Sant’Antonio, one of the most remarkable medieval gothic churches in the Val di Susa and indeed in Piedmont. The frescos inside are the work of Jacopo Jaquero – perhaps the most renowned Piedmont artist of this period. On entering the church it is not difficult to imagine tired pilgrims, returning from France, arriving here to the warm welcome that this church was renowned for.

The two lakes of Avigliana

The major attractions for those spending the day from Turin and the restaurants along the shore are all of decent quality. The lakes both form part of the Lakes of Avigliana National Park and the area is popular with bird watches – I am not much of a bird watcher so can’t really add too much here, other than saying that it is apparently a good place to see the Germani Reali. I have no idea what a Germani Reali is in English or even Italian but an Italian bird watching friend tells me you can see one here if you are interested. Is it worth a trip from abroad to see this bird? Even with the cheap flights to Turin these days I wouldn’t bother but, well, my friend tells me it is and people come from all over to see them.

A Well Kept Secret

One of my main reasons for visiting this area which I will now share with you and this, not the birds, is well worth a cheap Ryan Air flight to Turin. Near Avigliana there is a great agritourism farm and restaurant that is a shrine to local Piedmont gastronomy – unknown to but a few and only serving dinner on Saturday and lunch on Sunday – it is worth finding if you are serious about Italian food and more particularly after authentic Piedmontese cuisine. Click here for details.

The Val di Susa also has a lot of great castles. Some of best ones are the Castle of Conte Verde in Condove and the Castle Borello near Bussoleno. The best though is the Castle known as the Forte di Exiles Next on the Val di Susa/ Piedmont tour must be the city of Susa -the biggest city in the valley but still only a small town and nothing really special. Susa has a few interesting sites – most notable is the eleventh century cathedral of San Giusto, the Roman era city gate in piazza San Giusto and the Roman baths.

Guido's House

Last stop on the tour is Chiomonte. I spend a lot of time here because our best friends, Guido and his wife and son, have their weekend house up here. This is a lovely little town on the train line from Turin/Torino and right on the French border. The town is a great place to get away from it all for a long weekend either in winter or summer. There is little better than drinking a glass of Barolo, in front of a raging fire, and looking out of Guido’s panoramic window at the snow on the surrounding mountain peaks.

In summer it is just as great, a lovely griglia or BBQ on the lawn. Guido make the worlds best red and green peppers, aubergines and sausages on a BBQ. Wash that all down with a good glass of the finest red wine from Piedmont and finish with a double espresso before relaxing in the shade of Guido’s cherry tree.

Once the lunch has been digested a walk up one of the surrounding hills is suggested – this way you also get to meet the rest of Chiomonte enjoying their early evening walk.

Back to the subject of Wine

Digressing slightly and returning to wine which is always a good place to return to. Chiomonte is famous for having the highest vineyards in Piedmont and the Valle di Susa. Try get to Chiomonte on the 20th of January for the festa of San Sebastiano, the patron saint of Chiomonte, all the youth of the town dress in period costume and dancing and eating in the main piazza is the order of the day.

The focus is “la puenta” a symbol of good luck and around which the ladies of the town dance. The festa is also the culmination of the wines of ice project or Eisweine and the frozen grapes are gathered from the terraces of the Cantina la Maddalena. If you want more on this wine visit my page on this very remarkable and unique Italian wine.

To end Chiomonte has some lovely old churches worth seeing. The church of Santa Caterina dates back to the twelfth century and the church of Santa Maria has some wonderful frescos. Chiomonte was the birth place of Admiral Andrea Agnes des Geneys – the man who started the navy of the Savoy royals in early 1800.

Also don't forget to visit the nearby great ski resorts of Bardonecchia and Sestriere




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