Susa (Latin: Segusio, French: Suse, Arpitan: Suisa) is a town and comune in the Metropolitan City of Turin, Piedmont, Italy. In the middle of Susa Valley, it is situated on at the confluence of the Cenischia with the Dora Riparia, a tributary of the Po River, at the foot of the Cottian Alps, 51 km (32 mi) west of Turin.

Susa
Città di Susa
Coat of arms of Susa
Location of Susa
Map
Susa is located in Italy
Susa
Susa
Location of Susa in Italy
Susa is located in Piedmont
Susa
Susa
Susa (Piedmont)
Coordinates: 45°08′N 07°03′E / 45.133°N 7.050°E / 45.133; 7.050
CountryItaly
RegionPiedmont
Metropolitan cityTurin (TO)
FrazioniBraide, Coldimosso, Cordera, Crotte, Foresto, Garelli, Polveriera, Pradonio, San Giacomo, San Giuliano, Traduerivi
Government
 • MayorSandro Plano
Area
 • Total
10.99 km2 (4.24 sq mi)
Elevation
503 m (1,650 ft)
Population
 (1-1-2018)[2]
 • Total
6,340
 • Density580/km2 (1,500/sq mi)
DemonymSegusini
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
10059
Dialing code0122
Patron saintSt. Mary of the Snow
Saint dayAugust 5
WebsiteOfficial website

History

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Susa (Latin: Segusio)[3] was founded by the Ligures. It was the capital of the Segusini (also known as Cottii).[3] In the late 1st century BC it became voluntarily part of the Roman Empire.[clarification needed] Remains of the Roman city have been found in the excavations of the central square, the Piazza Savoia. Susa was the capital of the province of Alpes Cottiae. According to the medieval historian Rodulfus Glaber, Susa was "the oldest of Alpine towns".

In the Middle and Modern ages, Susa remained important as a hub of roads connecting southern France to Italy. Taking part of the county or march of Turin (sometimes "march of Susa"). In 1167, Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor and Holy Roman Empress Beatrice were attacked here; the emperor disguised as a horse servant to flee, while the empress was imprisoned until permitted to depart in 1168. In 1174 the emperor pillaged Susa in revenge.

Henry of Segusio, usually called Hostiensis, (c. 1200 – 1271) an Italian canonist of the thirteenth century, was born in the city. During the Napoleonic era a new road, the Via Napoleonica, was built. The city's role as a communications hub has been confirmed recently by a nationwide dispute over the construction of the proposed Turin-Lyon high-speed rail link (TAV) to France.[citation needed]

Main sights

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Roman Amphitheater of Susa

Twin cities

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See also

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Sources

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  1. ^ "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  2. ^ "Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Archived from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  3. ^ a b Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Segusio" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 24 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 601.
  4. ^ Raymond G. Chase: Ancient Hellenistic and Roman amphitheatres, stadiums, and theatres: the way they look now. P. E. Randall, Portsmouth 2002, ISBN 1-931807-08-6
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