San Giorio di Susa
Edited by:
Massimo Martini
Access
The municipality of San Giorio di Susa is easily accessible via the Turin-Modane railway line, with a station a short distance from the centre, and thanks to the nearby motorway exit on the A32 Turin-Bardonecchia. The local road network facilitates travel to the hamlets and areas of major excursion interest, while the road network allows quick connections to the nearby towns of Bussoleno, Roure and the main localities of the Susa Valley.
The municipality of San Giorio Susa is easily accessible via the Turin-Modane railway line, with a station a short distance away, and the nearby motorway exit on the A32 Turin-Bardonecchia.Introduction
San Giorio di Susa is an Alpine municipality located in the Lower Susa Valley, within the metropolitan city of Turin. Rising at the bottom of the Vallone del Gravio, its territory embraces a vast mountainous area that includes no less than 27 hamlets, 9 of which are permanently inhabited, immersed in centuries-old woods and rich chestnut groves. The morphology of the place is shaped by roads and paths that cross gneiss quarries and ancient pylons, offering suggestive views of the Sangiorio plain and surrounding slopes.
Description
Of particular historical and scenic importance is the medieval castle, built in the 13th century by the feudal lords Bertrandi, which dominates the village from the top of the mollare, a rise that characterises the local landscape. The castle's main tower, believed to be the first cylindrical structure of its kind built in the Susa Valley by transalpine Savoys, testifies to the defensive vocation and prestige of the village in the Middle Ages. Next to the castle stands the chapel of San Lorenzo, famous for its 14th-century frescoes of the Franco-Piedmontese school and for the cup-marked rock, evidence of ancient cults dating back to the 5th-4th centuries BC. In the historical centre, gathered around the ancient fortifications, are the stronghold with Ghibelline battlements and the parish church of San Giorgio Martire, with a Romanesque bell tower and interiors renovated in 1937.
The economy of San Giorio di Susa has maintained a mainly agricultural and forestry vocation over time, with traditional activities such as chestnut cultivation and small artisan businesses linked to the working of local stone. Gneiss quarrying has marked the productive life of the hamlets for decades. In recent years, there has been an enhancement of the hiking and nature heritage, with the promotion of itineraries winding through the forests, alpine hamlets and panoramic viewpoints, favouring slow tourism that respects mountain rhythms.
The local culture is animated by deep-rooted popular traditions, including the celebration of the patronal feast of St George on 23 April, which is distinguished by its historical re-enactment at the castle. Folklore events and festivals enhance the typical gastronomy and reinforce the community's identity. The vitality of the hamlets is also reflected in the presence of votive chapels, medieval fresco cycles and in the devotional routes that criss-cross the territory.
San Giorio di Susa offers numerous opportunities for hiking enthusiasts, with paths that connect the hamlets and lead to places of great scenic interest such as the Count's chapel and the Mollare summit. The chestnut woods and gneiss quarries are reference points for thematic itineraries dedicated to local history, archaeology and nature. The historical and environmental attractions are enriched by the presence of rock engravings, remains of ancient fortifications and evidence of Alpine civilisation.
Information
Area: 20 km²
Altitude: 435m
Maximum elevation:
Number of inhabitants: 967 (as of 2023)
Name in dialect: San Gieuri
Name in dialect: Sangiorians
Patron Saint: San Giorgio (23 April)
Neighbouring towns: Bussoleno, Roure, other towns in the Susa Valley
Website: www.comune.sangioriodisusa.to.it