Castle, Medieval castle in San Giorio di Susa, Italy
The fortress in San Giorio di Susa is a medieval stronghold marked by a cylindrical tower at its northwest corner, positioned on a rocky ridge above the middle Susa Valley. Stone walls enclose a great hall and courtyard that form the core of the complex.
The fortress arose in the 13th century as a defense point for the House of Savoy, built to control commerce and movement along the Via Francigena del Moncenisio mountain route. It kept watch over merchants and military forces passing through the valley below.
The fortress was long a seat of local authority and remains a place where visitors sense the presence of medieval rule. The walls and courtyard reveal how life here was organized in past centuries.
The site sits on a hillside and requires some walking to reach from below, but paths are clearly marked and easy to follow. It now functions as a restaurant-pub where visitors can eat and drink while experiencing the medieval setting.
The fortress was originally part of a larger defensive network and could communicate visually with neighboring strongholds like Chianocco and Bruzolo. These sight lines allowed rapid relay of warnings and information across the entire valley.
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