There is a thin common thread that unites the traditional feasts of the Susa Valley: certain actions and gestures that have their roots in ancient pre-Christian rituals related to fertility cults and nature are repeated in the villages of the valley and in those placed on the mountains.

The young conscripts of the village of Chiomonte celebrate their patron saint (saint Sebastian, 20^th January) with the procession and dance of the Puento.

In the village of Giaglione the young women are in charge of the task of organizing the patron-saint festivals (saint Vincent, 22^th January) and the dance of the Bran, which is a structure decorated with flowers, ribbons and colored bows. They are accompanied by four swordsmen whose dance create characteristic figures. The Dance of the Swords of Giaglione (but it is still alive also in Venaus and San Giorio) is characteristic of the entire Alpine arch. The Dance is associated with the springtime rebirth of life. The swordsmen costumes are characterized by a brightly colored jacket decorated with ribbons and gold braids and their hats are characterized by a rich adornment of flowers and multicolored ribbons: the circular movements of the upheld swords or the stabbing of the ground are carried out in a specifically choreographic manner as a symbolic expression of the fertility of the earth. In the village of Venaus the dance open and close the festival in honor of saint Blaise and saint Agatha (2^nd and 3^rd February); in the village of San Giorio is held in the occasion of the patronal feast in honor of saint George (24^th April). The swordsmen or “Spadonari”, dance on the music played by a band and accompany the statue of the patron saint, carried in procession by the young conscripts. In the afternoon the people of the village staged the killing of the feudal lord on the ramparts of the castle, in memory of the ancient legend of the terrible kidnapping of a young bride and the killing of the wicked feudal lord. In the village of Urbiano (near Mompantero) takes place a feast called “the dance of the bear”. During the festival in honor of saint Brigid (1^st February) a man with a costume made with sheep- and goat-skin (the “bear”) come down from the mountains near Urbiano, and walk through the village. The bear is finally tamed when he dances with the most beautiful girl of the village in the square of Urbiano.

The feast usually takes place on the first Sunday closest to the day dedicated to the patron saint.

Activities

In the villages of Chiomonte, Giaglione and Venaus you can participate in the celebrations for the patron saint, enjoy the dance of the Puento or the beautiful figures of the dance of the swordsmen and dance with the young conscripts. You can taste a good vin brulé (mulled vine) and others typical products of the Susa Valley or discover the immense cultural and artistic heritage of the small alpine villages of the Susa Valley. In the village of Urbiano you can take part in the “bear hunt” of the feast, following the men dressed as hunters or play in some folk dance. In the village of San Giorio you can see the Dance of the Swords and you can get involved in the staged of the killing of the feudal lord. You can also taste local products after seeing the frescoes of the Chapel of saint Lawrence.

During these traditional festival you have the opportunity to discover the cultural heritage of Susa and Novalesa.

You can visit the abbey of Novalesa, where the Benedictine monks accompany you to discover the beautiful Chapel of saint Eldrado with frescoes of the XI century, built in a panoramic position and surrounded by an immense park. The abbey today also houses the Archaeological Museum which contains the archaeological findings emerged from the excavation campaigns and also a section dedicated to the restoration of books, an activity that is still practiced in the abbey. Then you can go to Novalesa for a walk in the narrow alleys and courtyards of this characteristic alpine village: the centre of Novalesa is dominated by the parish church of saint Stephen with some pictures painted in the style of Caravaggio, the Museum of Alpine Religious Art and other artistic works.

The discover of the history and the art of the city of Susa start with a walk in its beautiful streets, where you can see the monuments and the rich cultural heritage of this city, also called the “Door of Italy” due to its strategic position. Other items worthy of note (dated between the IV and the XX century) are housed in the Museo Diocesano di Arte Sacra and in the Museo Civico in the Castle of Adelaide.

Suggestions

Bardonecchia Chiomonte Chiomonte Chiomonte Condove Giaglione Giaglione Meana di Susa Mompantero Novalesa Novalesa Novalesa Novalesa Salbertrand Salbertrand Salbertrand San Giorio di Susa San Giorio di Susa Sestriere Susa Susa Susa Venaus

Bardonecchia	Chantè
Chiomonte	Chapel of Sant'Andrea of Ramats
Chiomonte	Charintel
Chiomonte	Puento
Condove	Ancient Carnival of Lajetto
Giaglione	Dance of Swords
Giaglione	Museum of Alpine Religious Art
Meana di Susa	Bran
Mompantero	Bear of Mompantero
Novalesa	Benedictine Abbey of SS. Pietro and Andrea
Novalesa	Novalesa Archaelogical Museum
Novalesa	Museum of Alpine Religious Art
Novalesa	Ethnographic museum of mountain life in Cenischia Valley
Salbertrand	Carnavà du Gueini
Salbertrand	Colombano Romean Ecomuseum
Salbertrand	The Gran Bosco Natural Park
San Giorio di Susa	Chapel of San Lorenzo
San Giorio di Susa	Dance of Swords
Sestriere	Historical Carnival of Champlas du Col
Susa	Cathedral of San Giusto
Susa	Convent of San Francesco
Susa	Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art
Venaus	Dance of Swords

View as a list