Susa, Piedmont

Susa
Comune
Città di Susa

Coat of arms
Susa

Location of Susa in Italy

Coordinates: 45°08′N 07°03′E / 45.133°N 7.050°E / 45.133; 7.050Coordinates: 45°08′N 07°03′E / 45.133°N 7.050°E / 45.133; 7.050
Country Italy
Region Piedmont
Province / Metropolitan city Turin (TO)
Frazioni Castelpietra, Coldimosso, San Giuliano, Traduerivi
Government
  Mayor Sandro Plano
Area
  Total 11.26 km2 (4.35 sq mi)
Elevation 503 m (1,650 ft)
Population (30 September 2011)
  Total 6,686
  Density 590/km2 (1,500/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Segusini
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
  Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 10059
Dialing code 0122
Patron saint St. Mary of the Snow
Saint day August 5
Website Official website

Susa (Latin: Segusio) is a city and comune in 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.

History

Susa (Latin: Segusio) was founded by the Gauls. In the late 1st century BC it became voluntarily part of the Roman Empire. 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"). 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.

Main sights

Twin cities

See also

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Sources

Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article Segusio.



This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 2/20/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.