A place of worship and mystery, the Sacra di San Michele is one of the bastions of religious history in the Susa Valley.
Its charm is closely linked to the stories and legends that revolve around its figure; its very construction evokes episodes of celestial interventions.
In fact, although human passage has been recorded on Mount Pirchiriano since prehistoric times, it is said that it was not just a strategic choice of military interest, but a mystery shrouded its construction.
Originally, the abbey was destined for Monte Caprasio, today known as Rocca Sella, at the behest of the Benedictine St John Vincent around 983 AD. However, it is said that once work had begun, it did not seem to proceed due to the mysterious disappearance of stones intended for the building.
In order to unravel the mystery, St John Vincent went into hiding to catch the thieves in the act. Surprisingly, what he saw astonished him: some angels appeared at nightfall and moved the stones on Mount Pirchiriano. Interpreted as a divine sign, the construction continued where the stones were deposited; so much so that a fresco depicting the celestial episode can still be seen today inside the abbey. Thanks to this legend, the sanctuary is considered "consecrated", hence the "Sacra".
However, it must be admitted that this is not a single building dedicated to the Archangel Michael, but is said to be part of a much larger design. The so-called Cult of St Michael, in fact, sees its origin in the Eastern world where he was recognised as the supreme leader of the heavenly army and the one who fights against the enemies of the church. From Israel to Italy, the first traces on the peninsula were recorded on the Gargano promontory at Monte Sant'Angelo, around the 5th century.
This first Sanctuary became the model for the spread of the micaelico cult: in fact, mountain tops, hills, promontories or caves were consecrated as places of liturgy.
This veneration expanded to the point of reaching the coast of Normandy, in France, where the sanctuary of Mont-Saint-Michel was erected between 708 and 709.
The Sacra di San Michele in Valsusina was therefore the last piece in a series of pilgrimage sites; positioned halfway between the two sanctuaries, the one in Puglia and the one in France, it forms part of the so-called 'Via Angelica'. More than 2,000 kilometres crossing the whole of Western Europe, which is said to reach as far as Ireland and Jerusalem.
Once again, there is a legend behind the pilgrimage cult.
The story originates with the exile of Lucifer from Paradise: in banishing the damned angel, it is said that the sword of the Archangel Michael left a trace of his gesture on the planet. Of this invisible path, the connection between the three basilicas dedicated to St Michael is clear, where a particular energy field is said to emanate, which can be seen on a tile, lighter than the others, positioned at the entrance to the abbey.
Taking a few steps back, it is also worth mentioning the historical stages the sanctuary has gone through.
Since its construction, the Sacra has belonged to the Benedictine order; here, the founder, St John Vincent, after an initial period as a hermit, decided to recruit abbots and monks to the abbey so that a true international cultural centre took shape. These exchanges gave rise to a great religious civilisation that characterised the period of Benedictine rule.
However, with the passage of time, the economic ambitions of the few came to the fore, leading the Sacra to a period of decline that was important for its history, and finally to its abandonment.
After almost two centuries, King Charles Albert of Savoy decided to set up a congregation within the sanctuary to resurrect the building. Among them were the Rosminians, to whom the King entrusted the bodies of 24 of his ancestors, previously kept in Turin Cathedral.
It was under their ownership and thanks to their initiatives that in 1994 the Sacra was awarded the title of "Monument symbol of Piedmont".
One last legend accompanies the history of the basilica even today: the legend of Bell'Alda. This epic dates back to the time when the sanctuary became the scene of battles and sieges. It is said that on that occasion, a young woman named Alda, in order to escape from an angry group of soldiers, found herself on top of a tower and preferred to throw herself into the void rather than end up a prisoner. However, the girl did not hit the ground thanks to the heavenly intervention of two angels who saved her. Enthusiastic about the miracle she had received, she recounted it but no one believed her. Fearless and determined to prove what had happened, she tried the act again, but on this occasion they did not come to her rescue and so she died, punished for her pride. Legend has it that a cross was erected at the site of the accident in his memory, hence the saying: 'L toc pi pi gross rimast a l'era l'ouria' (the biggest piece left was the ear).
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