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.
Location: Sant'Ambrogio di Torino
Inception: 10 century
Architectural style: Romanesque architecture
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Phone: +39011939130
Email: info@sacradisanmichele.com
Website: https://sacradisanmichele.com
GPS coordinates: 45.09779,7.34328
Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:04
Italy holds archaeological sites spanning several millennia, offering insights into Etruscan, Greek and Roman civilizations. These locations include necropolises with thousands of tombs, well-preserved Roman villas and ancient settlements along the Mediterranean coast. Many of these sites lie beyond the more familiar destinations and document different aspects of Italian history. The Necropolis of Pantalica near Sortino contains approximately 5,000 rock-cut tombs from the Sicilian Bronze Age, while the Villa of the Mysteries in Pompeii is known for its wall paintings from the first century BCE. Villa del Casale near Piazza Armerina displays Roman floor mosaics covering more than 37,500 square feet (3,500 square meters). Etruscan burial sites like the Tomb of the Orcus in Tarquinia preserve frescoes from the fourth century BCE. The Archaeological Park of Elea-Velia near Ascea includes remains of a Greek colony founded in the sixth century BCE.
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