Home / Places /

Municipality of Villar Focchiardo

location_city Communities
explore Territory

Via Conte Carroccio, 30, 10050 Villar Focchiardo

The vast territory of Villar Focchiardo extends on the right bank of the Dora, ranging from the flat area to over 3000 meters in the mountainous area dotted with many hamlets. An ancient settlement is documented as Albereia since the 9th century in the flat area, but the first mention as Villar Fulcardi dates back to 1029, referring to a nucleus located in a position protected by the waters of the Dora and the Gravio rivers, which constituted the estate composed of a church and a manor house, the Palais. It came into the possession of the viscounts of Baratonia from Val Ceronda, who for two centuries were officials as direct heirs of Arduinic power. In 1653, the Carroccio family acquired feudal rights and built a real residential residence on the hill overlooking the town, the Palazzo dei Conti Carroccio (15th century) and a new parish church. The edifice dedicated to S.Maria Assunta was built between 1717 and 1735 at the behest of Abbot Ignazio Carroccio, to replace the previous church further downstream, which was damaged by repeated floods. The generous family patronage also allowed for a rich decorative apparatus inside and a refinement in liturgical furnishings with the presence of altarpieces and paintings by artisans active at the Savoy court. The presence of the Ancient Road of France in the valley area saw the presence of two fortified post farms in Villar Focchiardo for accommodation: Cascina Roland (15th century) and Giaconera.

 

Heading up the mountain area on a hillside, the settlement of Banda gathers around the Charterhouse, whose church preserves a vibrant decorative apparatus and a Gothic wooden choir (currently under restoration). Banda was the farm of the Certosa di Montebendetto, in which the monks from Losa di Gravere settled from the 13th century onwards. A ruinous flood forced the monks to abandon the area in 1473, relocating to the Charterhouse of Banda. However, the presence of the Carthusian community on the mountain of Villar Focchiardo was marked by numerous, sometimes violent disputes with the inhabitants over grazing and water rights.

 

Much of the high-altitude territory is encompassed within the Orsiera Rocciavrè Park, to be explored through the many hiking trails connecting shelters and rest stops, such as the Franks Trail, which, through Pian dell’Orso with the picturesque Transfiguration chapel, reaches the Sacra di San Michele.

 

Among the most important events in the Susa Valley, for over fifty years, the Sagra Valsusina del Marrone (3rd weekend of October) featuring a market exhibition of local products, is an event dedicated to promoting the chestnut fruit cultivated since ancient times in a specific area of the Susa Valley, including Meana, Mattie, San Giorio, Vaie, and, of course, Villar Focchiardo.

 

 

Contacts

Our partners:

© 2025 Valle di Susa
Tesori di Arte e Cultura Alpina
Tel. 0122 622640 Email. info@vallesusa-tesori.it
Follow us on our socials