Susa Things to Do

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August arch was built in 9-8 BC to remind the alliance concluded in 13-12 BC between August and Cozio, king of Susa. It is decorated in a style very different from the usual Roman art. It is most likely to have been carved by local artists. It represents the "suovetaurilia", the sacrifice made by Cozio to celebrate the alliance. The suovetaurilia was the sacrifice a pig (suus), a sheep (ovis) and a bull (taurus), hence the name suovetaurilia.

The first photo shows the arc seen from underneath, from the street coming from the city center.

The second photo was taken almost under the Arc and shows a double entrance into the Medieval city wall.

The third photo is a close up on this entrance, standing on top of a few stairs.

The fourth photo shows the Arco di Augusto, seen from the medieval entrance.

The last photo was taken from outside the city medieval entrance and shows bothe this entrance, and in the background the Arco di Augusto.

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We were looking for the Roman arena when I saw the top of a round tower that emerged from the vegetation (enlarge the first photo if you want to see it). I tried to get closer from the tower as I thought it might be related with the arena.

Actually, it seemed to be in a private property enclosed by high walls and I could not get any closer. I wonder if this is not one of those round towers that were built along the Roman city walls in the second century AD. The second photo gives a close up, over the walls of the property.

On another visit to Susa, we went to the Arco di Augusto, which is uphill, on the north West to the city center. From there, I could see the tower from another direction. that does not tell if it dates back from the ancient Romans, but shows that it is incorporated into a chapel (third photo)

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The story of Adelaide is tightly tied with the history Susa. She was born between 1010 and 1016 in the castle that now bears its name from Olderic Manfred, count of Turin and marquis of Susa and Berte of Este. She was the grand daughter of Arduino il Glabrione, un "condotierre" that ousted the Sarrazins from the valley of Susa in 976. Twice widowed, she married Oddone, Count of Savoie and Maurienne, sun of Umberto Biancamano/Humbert aux Blanches Mains (Humbert the White Handed).

She brought him as a dowry a wide borderland "la marca arduinica" and "la marca del territorio Canavese". This marriage was the origin of the power of the Savoie dynasty that ruled the whole territory of the Alps. Their patrimony covered Savoie and Maurienne on the western side of the Alps, and on the eastern side, the Marquisate of Susa, the county of Turin, the Val d'Aoste and a great deal of castles and territories in Liguria.

Adelaide gave birth to five children. The kings of Italy are the descendants of Adelaide.

The first photo shows the castle from the city center.

The second photo shows the entrance into the castle from top, from the Arco di Auguste.

The third photo shows archeological excavations in progress in the catle yard.

The fourth photo shows the outer wall of the castle from the castle yard. The Arco di Auguste is hidden behind.

The last photo shows a part of the castle, seen from the yard, nos used for art exhibitions.

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The first photo shows clock tower that stands at the foot of the castle of Contessa Adelaide. This is typical of a sober style of building that is widely found on both sides of the Alps : the design is square, the roof has four plain panels, the sides are few openings : one at the first level, two at the second and three for the two uppers levels.

The second photo was taken on another trip to Susa from the castle, from a higher elevation. It shows better the tower in its surroundings.

This marble carved slab (Via Palazzo di Città) commemorates the memory of Lieutenant General Emilio Degiorgis (1844-1908), who was born in this house, was Supreme Commander of the gendarmerie in Macedonia and who was awarded the title of Pasha by the Ottoman (Turkish) government. Amazing, isn't it, to find a local pasha in the middle of the Alps ?

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Beginning on Piazza San Giusto, on one side, along via Marun , the portici are low, with a double vault, one is wide and the other narrower. They seem to be the oldest of the city but I have not found any clue on the date of their building.

On the other side of Via Marun a narrow passage for pedestrians only leads to August arch.

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Cattedrale San Giusto (Cathedral Saint Just) was built in 1027. It is built on the design of a latin cross. The clock tower was stone built on a square design and is connected to the right nave, almost in its middle. The roof is very sharp, covered with slates. On each corner, stands a slender pinnacle.

Palazzo municipale (City Town Hall) has given its name to the street, called Via Palazzo di Città. It was built in1831, when it was part of the kingdom of Savoie. It has a neo classical style and looks as a Roman temple with four columns topped by a triangular pediment.