Page 4 - Guida diSusa e Meana di Susa

stiges are still visible. The external structure is characterized by the presence of some double-lancet introduction
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 dedi-
catory epistle. The frieze of the Arch, decorated in bas-relief that spreads on four sides, represents
scenes of sacrifice and rituals of the alliance.
The Castle of the Countess Adelaide (11th 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
subsequently it was utilized by the Sabaudi Counts. In the courtyard of the castle some roman ve-
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 minor arches stand out. This structure was probably created to support an aqueduct (4th cent.).
Behind the aqueduct it is possible to admire some rock engravings (7th 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 do-
minates, a bronze copy of the original currently kept in Rome.
Porta Savoia (3-4th 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 (14th cent.). The Torre dei Rotari and the Torre del Parlamento with a square plan
and a prestigious Guelph battlement.
The Casa de’ Bartolomei (12th cent.) is another testimony of the medieval Susa . Its façade is
distinguished 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 Savoyard nobility, who settled in Susa between the 12 and 13th cent., at the court of the Count
Tommaso of Savoy.
Inside the Cathedral of S. Giusto (11th cent.), are still visible a bronze copy of the triptych Madon-
na 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 (12th 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 (13th 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
(11th cent.), with its adjoining priory. The building, enhanced with single-double strambatura, bo-
asts 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 (17th cent.) with its late ba-
roque façade, the Chiesa della Madonna del Ponte (13th cent.) and the Chiesa di Santa Maria delle
Grazie (18th cent.).

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