Holiday apartment in Caprie: Gorge, Rocca Sella and cultural heritage

Gorge, rock and sporting experiences

The Torrente Sessi flows into a spectacular gorge near Peroldrado. The gorge is a popular destination for canyoning, also known as torrentismo. Its rock walls are suitable for climbing; the upper valley of the Torrente Sessi is also home to the Falesia del Cevrè. The characteristic wooden footbridges known as “Le Pianche” provide a distinctive way to navigate the area and make it possible to cross the Torrente Sessi on foot.

The Via ferrata di Caprie can be completed all year round and is also suitable for people trying this sport for the first time. In the upper section, the “Trapezio di Magia”, there is a 25-metre-long Tibetan bridge, which can be bypassed. There is a car park for the route on the road to Novaretto; from there, the starting point can be reached in about 10 minutes.

The Vertical Rocca Sella is the most challenging route in the municipality of Caprie and was designed for mountain runners. It includes a “Mezzo Vertical” from Novaretto to Celle with an elevation gain of 600 metres, as well as a “Vertical” from Novaretto to Rocca Sella with an elevation gain of 1,100 metres. Rocca Sella is also a destination for excursions, offering views of the Turin plain and the lower Susa Valley.

Churches, crypt and traces of history

The Parrocchiale di Santa Maria Assunta is distinguished by its Romanesque bell tower. It is one of the oldest buildings in the Susa Valley and one of the few buildings with a crypt. The crypt dates back to the 11th century and can be reached through an internal passage and a steep old stone staircase. Romanesque frescoes depict the Virgin Mary and the symbols of the Evangelists.

At the Parrocchiale di San Pancrazio, you will encounter a Baroque church consecrated in 1726. The Cappella del Beneficio Coppo contains a polychrome marble altar from the 18th century. The present-day Parrocchiale di San Rocco in Novaretto dates from the second half of the 19th century and was designed in the Neo-Romanesque style. Its furnishings include an altarpiece from the school of Defendente Ferrari. The Cappella di San Rocco was built in 1733 out of gratitude for the end of the plague.

The small Borgo di Celle on Monte Caprasio includes a church built into the natural rock, known as “la grotta”. The name of the hamlet is probably connected with hermit monks who lived there around the year 1000. Monte Caprasio is now called Rocca Sella and lies at the entrance to the Susa Valley, on the northern side of the valley opposite Pirchiriano. John Vincent chose it as a place of hermitage; his cult is still celebrated today in the rock chapel in Celle near the parish church.

The ancient Via Francigena also passes through Caprie. Another historical landmark is the new Bertone headquarters in Caprie, inaugurated on 15 October 1972. At the Bertone car design centre, an extensive exhibition of prototypes can be viewed during events.

Apples and excursions on two wheels

“La mela e dintorni” is dedicated to discovering and promoting the apples of the Susa Valley. Caprie offers numerous cycle paths for cyclists. Paved and unpaved roads are also suitable for excursions on road, cross and enduro motorcycles.

For further orientation, you can also discover Garibaldi, Venaria Reale, Rollieres, Buriasco, Chiomonte, Pomaretto, Chieri and Balme.

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