Sacra di San Michele, Romanesque abbey on Mount Pirchiriano, Italy
Sacra di San Michele sits on top of Monte Pirchiriano and shows thick stone walls made of gray rock and slender towers. The buildings rise directly from the rocky summit and form a compact group overlooking the Susa Valley.
The monastery was built between 983 and 987 on a ridge that had already served in Roman times as a lookout post for the connection between the Po Plain and Gaul. In the Middle Ages the complex was expanded and attracted monks and travelers crossing the Alps.
The name honors the Archangel Michael, whose shrines have been venerated at high places across Europe. Pilgrims today still follow the old path and stop here to visit the church and gather strength.
The complex stands on a steep mountain and is reached by a long staircase that can be difficult for visitors with mobility issues. However, there are aids inside and guided tours that adapt to the needs of guests.
Inside the church stands a narrow stone staircase that passes over the graves of monks and is called the Scalone dei Morti. The space below feels cool and quiet, and the muted light falls on old tomb slabs in the floor.
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