San Giorio: Cultural History and Nature

San Giorio offers two distinct points of interest for planning your trip: the landscape of Orsiera Rocciavrè Nature Park and tangible evidence of the town’s history. The highlights range from a named hiking trail to frescoes, medieval architecture and a historical pageant. Natural surroundings, architectural history and events each offer a different focus, so you can choose what you want your stay to centre on.

Nature Park and Hiking Trail

San Giorio is one of the municipalities in Orsiera Rocciavrè Nature Park. This high-altitude area is characterised by meadows, silver fir forests, small lakes and ponds; the lakes and ponds are of great natural history importance. The landscape and the hiking trail are two distinct points of interest: the area describes the natural environment, while the route is a specific hike. The “Paradiso delle Rane – Amprimo – Toesca” hiking trail starts in Località Cortavetto near San Giorio di Susa, takes two hours and is classified as easy for tourists. As trail conditions may change, please check them before setting out.

Chapel of San Lorenzo

The Chapel of San Lorenzo, also known as the Cappella del Conte, was built in 1328 by Lorenzetto Bertrandi as a cemetery chapel. Its year of construction and original function offer two distinct historical points of reference: the building’s origins and its purpose at the time. Inside is a recently restored cycle of frescoes. It depicts salvation, including the Crucifixion, the legend of the Three Living and the Three Dead, and the life of Saint Lawrence. The artwork thus adds religious and legendary themes to the building’s history. The chapel can be accessed using the “Chiese a porte aperte” app; please check the latest access arrangements before your visit.

Fortified House and Historic Route

Another historical highlight is San Giorio’s fortified house (Casaforte). It was probably built by the Bertrandi family around the middle of the 13th century and was part of the military installations used to control traffic along the ancient Via Francigena del Moncenisio. The Casaforte has three above-ground floors and one underground floor. While the chapel is notable for its cemetery function and frescoes, the fortified house is associated with its military function, connection to the route and architectural layout. This contrast brings out two distinct aspects of San Giorio’s history: religious use and the control of a transport route.

Historical Pageant

The historical and legendary pageant “La Soppressione del Feudatario” takes place in San Giorio on the Sunday closest to 23 April, the feast day of Saint George the Martyr. Check the exact date for your travel year if you plan to attend. Around a hundred people in historical costumes take part; among them, the Spadonari perform their characteristic sword dance. For trip planning, this event differs from the hike: the pageant depends on the right Sunday, while the route takes two hours.

Discover more destinations: Candia Canavese, Gravere, Vacci, Coassolo, Cuorgnè, Buriasco, Meana di Susa and Usseglio.

For the broader travel overview: Turin.