Walking the old cobble streets in Susa, Italy — Roman ruins and gelato

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A bit of town history

Susa town is an ancient place in Valsusino. It’s surrounded by rocky hills where strong forts like Santa Maria and Brunetta Fort were built long ago to control passes. Napoleon later took down Brunetta Fort.

Because Susa faced Dauphiné lands and had a good spot, it grew as a military hub around the 16th century. Duke Carlo Emanuele I of Savoy built a new defense structure during that time.

Why did we choose Susa?

We arrived in Susa in the afternoon, after a long trip. The town is situated 51 km from Turin, and it was the perfect stop on our way to Saint Avre, in the French Alps. We would arrive at our AirBnb there in the evening.

We crossed the whole of Italy from Udine on that day.

Check my previous story about Udine here.

I really like to have a visual on the map. I still marvel at how we managed the trip that day, considering we traveled with three kids. Luckily they all napped on the way and the traffic was acceptable around Milan too.

The trip itself required a lot of flexibility. We had backup plans for stopping at Bergamo or after Milan. Susa was a spontaneous decision, as there was also a gas station where we could fill the tank just before crossing into France.

Tired after a long car trip, we decided to visit the old Roman town. The kids were eager to explore and to move around.

Susa greeted us with linden flower scent, just like Udine. Moreover, the air was fresh in the valley.

We parked the car in a designated parking place and continued on foot towards the old town.

As we stepped onto the cobblestone streets of the Old Town, a sense of timelessness surrounded us. The worn stones beneath our feet seemed to whisper stories of generations past.

The narrow alleys, now with parked cars on the sides, wind their way through the centuries.

Yes, there were cars driving by in these narrow alleys!

The locals were laughing at us because we were walking in the middle of the street, thinking they were pedestrian streets.

Continuing our walk, each corner reveals a new piece of history or an artisanal shop. The facades of old buildings showcase a mix of architectural styles, as you can see in my photos below. From rustic Roman remnants to intricate medieval designs, every stone seemed to carry a memory.

Turning a corner, we came across the Cathedral of San Giusto, its ancient walls standing tall against the backdrop of the blue sky.

Looking around us, we caught glimpses of people chatting in animated voices and moving their hands vigorously. Locals of course.

I love the Italian way of gesticulating while talking.

In the piazza, there were restaurants and shops. Immediately, we started looking around for delicious ice cream, also known as gelato.

We found it in Piazza S. Guisto, very close to the Cathedral. The place was called La Botega Del Gelaté and it serves some of the most delicious flavors we’ve had so far.

Gelato is a yummy Italian frozen dessert, similar to ice cream but softer and creamier. It’s made with fresh milk, sugar, and natural flavors like fruits, nuts, and chocolate. Unlike ice cream, it has less air whipped into it, making it denser and richer in taste.

We continued our walk through a big park called Parco di Augusto, where the kids could run around and use all their energy accumulated during the trip and fueled by the ice cream.

Parco di Augusto

It is a special park in Susa. It’s named after the ancient Roman emperor Augustus. This park is a peaceful place where people can relax, enjoy nature, and learn about history.

There are old ruins from Roman times, like walls and arches, that tell stories of the past. It’s a great spot for a leisurely walk and a chance to imagine what life was like long ago.

Crossing through the Parco di Augusto, we soon reached some fascinating structures. These were the remains of ancient Roman structures, like walls and arches.

The Arco di Augusto

Arco di Augusto was built to honor the Roman Emperor Augustus. It is amazing to see such a structure that was built more than 2,000 years ago!

This arch served as a gateway to the town and was part of the larger Roman road network. It is a symbol of the town’s Roman heritage and its strategic importance in the past.

The view was breathtaking from the top of the hill. It was really worth climbing it and visiting the old stones that have witnessed so much. We could honestly say that the ruins were silent storytellers of history.

We went back to the car after our walk and continued our road trip through the French Alps.

The next stop on our trip

Further on our adventure, we would cross the border into France, drive through the Alps and arrive in Saint Avre. The place is a commune in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.

Stay tuned for the next story in this series.

Have you been to Italy?

Have you visited Susa or the area around Turin?

Let me know in the comments if you experienced Italian gelato or other delicious Italian foods.

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Stay human, be loved,

Gabby

***I originally published this article on Medium.***

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