Sacra di San Michele

The Sacra di San Michele is a Benedictine abbey perched on the summit of Monte Pirchiriano, about 40 km (25 miles) west of Turin, above Sant'Ambrogio di Torino in Piedmont, Italy. Founded in the late 10th century, the complex dominates the Susa Valley and is regarded as the symbol of the Piedmont region. Its silhouette is said to have inspired the abbey in Umberto Eco's novel The Name of the Rose. The abbey is on the Via Francigena pilgrimage route and is a landmark of Romanesque and Gothic architecture.

The journey takes about 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes. The usual route is a Trenitalia regional train from Torino Porta Nuova to Avigliana, about 25-30 minutes, then a seasonal shuttle or Trenitalia-linked bus to the abbey, with an Avigliana-Sacra supplement of about EUR 2.60 (~$3); the shuttle runs mostly on weekends and holidays. Hikers can instead alight at Sant'Ambrogio di Torino and follow trail 502 uphill for about 2 hours on a steep path. Driving takes about 45 minutes on the A32 towards Susa, with parking by the abbey.

Within the abbey, visitors climb the Scalone dei Morti (Stairway of the Dead), pass the Zodiac Portal carved by the master Nicholaus, and explore the church, the cloister remains, and the viewing terraces. The views extend across the Susa Valley and, on clear days, over the plain towards Turin. The visit is physically demanding because of the stairs and altitude, which is why the trip is classed as moderate.

A good one-day arc is to leave Turin early, reach the abbey in the morning when light is clear, spend about two hours inside, and then lunch in Avigliana, whose lakes and medieval centre are worth an afternoon stroll. The best season runs from April to October, with autumn offering strong colours; winter days can be cold and misty at the summit. Wear sturdy shoes, bring water, and check shuttle times and abbey opening hours at sacradisanmichele.com, as services vary by season.