Contents masquer
1 History and presentation of the site
2 Architecture
3 Gallery
4 Information
5 Where to sleep in the surroundings
6 Weather in Sant'Ambrogio di Torino
7 Map

saint-michael-s-abbey-la-clusa_5078One of the most beautiful sites in the region, about 30 kilometres from Turin, the Saint Michael’s Abbey, La Clusa (Sacra di San Michele in Italian) was built on a rocky peak nearly 1000m high overlooking the valley near Mount Pirchiriano.

History and presentation of the site

Built from the 11th century onwards, the site had already been dedicated to the worship of Saint Michael since the 5th century, and was even linked earlier to legends that mention it as one of the most powerful sources of white magic.
This Benedictine monastery became one of the largest religious complexes in the region, and was even very powerful in the Christian world for several centuries, the seat of numerous communities scattered as far as France and Spain. After being pillaged, it was abandoned in 1662.

Its walls preserve a thousand marvels, including rich architecture, and multiple decorations such as the figures sculpted on the capitals or remarkable frescoes.
Historically it is reached by the Staircase of the Dead, and mule tracks cross the beech and chestnut woods.
From the top of the hill the vast view extends over the Po plain and the Dora valley.

Architecture

frescoes-sacra-di-san-michele_5133

Predica dei morti (15th-16th century)

Founded on the rock, one enters the sanctuary by the Staircase of the Dead (Scalone dei Morti in Italian) flanked by arches with niches and tombs that, until recently, still held visible monks’ skeletons. Its 243 steps lead to the Porta dello Zodiaco (Gate of the Zodiac in English), a masterpiece of the 12th century. Further on, the Romanesque portal of grey and green stone from the early 11th century leads to the church. The church combines elements of Gothic and Romanesque architecture. It preserves several beautiful frescoes, including on the left wall a large Annunciation (by Secondo del Bosco da Poirino, 1505), or in the former choir a triptych by Defendente Ferrari.
The complex includes the ruins of the Monastero Nuovo, a monastery from the 12th-15th centuries, which originally had five storeys, and the Tower of the beautiful Alda and an octagonal chapel.

Gallery

Information

Where to sleep in the surroundings

  • A few minutes away in a restful site
    Certosa 1515: between the lakes and the abbey, a hotel in the hills, a restful site surrounded by nature in a former convent, with a restaurant
  • In the village of Giaveno, 12 min south of the abbey
    Palazzo Colombino Suite&Residence: a pleasant residence with two large rooms 12 min from the abbey
    Antico Pozzo: a spacious apartment with a small garden
  • On the edge of Lake Avigliana, 15 min from the abbey
    Hotel Chalet del Lago: a fine location for this hotel overlooking Lake Avigliana, with simple rooms, 15 min from the abbey
    B&B In Riva al Lago: a B&B with several rooms directly overlooking the lake
  • In the historic town of Veillane, 20 min from the Sacra
    Antiche Mura Avigliana: a pretty little apartment in the historic centre of the village of Veillane (Avigliana)
    Appartement Palazzo dei Duchi: a spacious apartment with terrace in the historic centre of Veillane
  • At the foot of the Sacra in the valley, 25-30 minutes by road
    B&B 503 di Alessio e Orsola: a spacious apartment in the valley, near the main road, and right at the foot of the abbey, but 30 min to go up by car, or by the 2 km of the old path on foot in 35 min
    Alla Damigiana: a B&B in the valley, near the main road, right at the foot of the abbey, but 25 min to go up by car
    L’Antico Borgo Rooms Rental: a pleasant B&B in the small village of Caprie

Weather in Sant'Ambrogio di Torino

Map

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