Page 4 - Guida diSusa e Meana di Susa

Arch of Augustus (9-8 B.C.). It was built by King Cozio to celebrate the alliance with the emperor
Augustus. Restored in 1992, it was erected using the white marble of Foresto. It is 14m high, 12m wide
and 7m deep and in the upper part of the ‘architrave’ it is possible to find the engraved dedicatory epistle.
The frieze of the Arch, decorated in bas-relief that spreads on four sides, represents scenes of sacrifice and
rituals of the alliance. Introduction
The Castle of the Countess Adelaide (11 th cent. ), possibly built on the ruins of King Cozio’s palace,
with a triangular plan with 3 towers at the top, rises in a panoramic position and over the centuries
was subjected to numerous restorations. It was at first the residence of the Countess Adelaide and sub-
sequently it was utilized by the Sabaudi Counts. In the courtyard of the castle some roman vestiges are
still visible. The external structure is characterized by the presence of some double-lancet windows and
a baroque portal, while the interior has been deeply modified, on the lower floor, there are some rooms
assigned to host events.
Adjacent to the arch, the Terme Graziane (Thermal Bath), two considerable arches and a series of mi-
nor arches stand out. This structure was probably created to support an aqueduct (4 th cent. ). Behind the
aqueduct it is possible to admire some rock engravings (7 th cent. B.C.) with ‘coppelle’, linked by small drains
that flow downwards to bigger cavities. Scholars have formulated the hypothesis that it was an altar
employed for ritual purposes by druids in pre-roman age.
The Parco di Augusto, in piazza Pola, is a wide green area created in 1954 where Corinthian capitals,
fragments of marble columns were brought to light and where a statue of Augustus dominates, a bronze
copy of the original currently kept in Rome.
Porta Savoia (3-4 th cent. ) was part of the surrounding walls of the town of Susa. On the two sides of the
solid structure of Porta Savoia, rise two circular base towers. The central wall structure and the towers at
the sides, present a series of windows in offset order that allowed, on each side, an easy military defence
of the entire building complex.
Medieval towers (14 th cent. ). The Torre dei Rotari and the Torre del Parlamento with a square plan and
a prestigious Guelph battlement.
The Casa de’ Bartolomei (12 th cent. ) is another testimony of the medieval Susa . Its façade is distingui-
shed by 3 lobed - big double lancet windows of the Gothic era.
The Borgo dei Nobili (the Noble Hamlet) has roman origins and was a patrician residence of that Sa-
voyard nobility, who settled in Susa between the 12 and 13 th cent. , at the court of the Count Tommaso of
Savoy.
Inside the Cathedral of S. Giusto (11 th cent. ), are still visible a bronze copy of the triptych Madonna del
Rocciamelone (1358), the outstanding Vasca Battesimale in octagonal form dug in one whole block of
marble of Foresto, the wood coro, very rare example of the engraving art (12 th cent. ).
The Chiesa di S. Maria Maggiore, deconsacrated, with an important roman bell tower, about 40m
high, is today an inhabited area.
Another medieval pearl is the Church and the famous Convento di S. Francesco (13 th cent. ), so called in
memory of the passage and staying of the Saint in Susa in 1214.
Outside of the centre of the village, along the road to Frais, there is the Chiesa di S. Saturnino (11 th cent. ),
with its adjoining priory. The building, enhanced with single-double strambatura, boasts a Romanesque
bell tower, about 15m high, enhanced by three orders of mullioned windows that increase in size going
upward.
Among other buildings of notable interest are the Chiesa di San Carlo (17 th cent. ) with its late baroque
façade, the Chiesa della Madonna del Ponte (13 th cent. ) and the Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie (18 th
cent. ).

Cartolina Postale. Ed. E. Piazza, Susa. La Madonna della Losa (m.1.202) Valle di Susa 1936. Collezione Privata.