Photo: Sacra di San Michele by Merulana, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
History. A Benedictine abbey founded around 983–987, perched on a rocky peak above the Susa Valley on the pilgrim road into Italy. It is the official symbol of the Piedmont region, and is often said to have inspired the abbey in Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose.
Legend. The hermit St Giovanni Vincenzo planned to build on the mountain opposite, but each night angels carried his building materials across to Monte Pirchiriano. Another tale, the Bell'Alda, tells of a girl who leapt from the walls to escape soldiers, was saved by angels, and fell to her death trying it again out of pride.
Visiting (2026)
- March–October: Mon–Sat 9:30–17:30, Sun 10:45–17:30. November–February: closes 16:30. Closed 12–30 January 2026 (official info).
- Tickets: €10 full / €8 reduced, no booking needed; guided tours €15/€13, booked online (routes & prices).
- Getting there: train from Turin to Sant'Ambrogio di Torino, then a steep 1.5–2 hour hike; or drive to the car park near the top.
- Inside, climb the "Staircase of the Dead" (Scalone dei Morti) to the church.
Next: Monte Sant'Angelo
Train Turin → Foggia (~7–8 h ⚠, or fly Turin → Bari), then bus to Monte Sant'Angelo.
Sources
Last verified: October 15, 2026. Prices, hours and rules change: confirm with the official source before you go.