Abbazia di Novalesa
Founded in 726 AD by the Frankish noble Abbo of Provence, the Abbey of Novalesa is one of the oldest and most important monastic centers in the Western Alps. Strategically located on the Mont Cenis pass, a key route between Italy and France, it flourished as a hub of faith, culture, and hospitality for pilgrims and travelers throughout the Middle Ages. Despite repeated destruction by Saracens, fires, and political upheaval, the abbey was continually rebuilt, preserving a rich heritage of Romanesque architecture, medieval manuscripts, and spiritual tradition. Today, the Benedictine monks have returned, reviving its centuries-old legacy in the heart of the Susa Valley.
Abbazia di Novalesa
Founded in 726 AD by the Frankish noble Abbo of Provence, the Abbey of Novalesa is one of the oldest and most important monastic centers in the Western Alps. Strategically located on the Mont Cenis pass, a key route between Italy and France, it flourished as a hub of faith, culture, and hospitality for pilgrims and travelers throughout the Middle Ages. Despite repeated destruction by Saracens, fires, and political upheaval, the abbey was continually rebuilt, preserving a rich heritage of Romanesque architecture, medieval manuscripts, and spiritual tradition. Today, the Benedictine monks have returned, reviving its centuries-old legacy in the heart of the Susa Valley.