On September 21, 2025, the medieval village of Exilles, nestled in the beautiful Susa Valley, will once again relive the atmosphere of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The event ExillesCittà, officially recognized among the historical reenactments of the Piedmont Region, celebrates the moment when Exilles was elevated to the rank of “City” by Royal Decree of King Umberto I. This decree, issued in the 19th century, acknowledged the town’s importance as the most populated village of the Upper Susa Valley, with around 3,000 inhabitants, including 1,000 soldiers stationed at the Fort.
ExillesCittà aims to commemorate this historical milestone and much more: a full immersion into history, culture, tradition, and community spirit.
This year, theatrical and musical performances will take visitors on a journey back through four decades, starting from 1915 with Italy at war, going back to 1905 with the famous quarrel between the doctor and the schoolteacher, and further to 1895 and 1885 with ancient dances, such as jigs and courente. It will be a kind of time-travel treasure hunt, where the audience can guess the historical period of each performance or story. Dances, music, scenes from everyday life, and costumed figures will be the real protagonists of the day.
Program of the 19th Edition
The day begins at 9:30 am with a historical parade accompanied by the Alta Valle Susa Music Band, followed at 10:00 am by the official opening at Villa Ernestina, with the symbolic investiture of the Historical Mayor and the handover of the town keys. At 10:30 am, the community will gather for the Solemn Mass in the Parish Church of Saint Peter the Apostle, followed by the reenactment of the 1915 Royal Decree ceremony, featuring the 3rd Regiment Alpine troops from Exilles, who fought on the front lines of the Great War.
Starting in the morning, visitors can stroll through various historical setups—such as the carpenter’s shop, antiquarian bookstore, shoemaker, and distillery, curated by the “Gianfranco Joannas” Grappa Museum of Deveys—and shop at the Botteghe d’Antan along the main street, where local honey, cheeses, jams, and other Susa Valley products will be on display.
From 12:30 pm, lunch will be available at the Osteria della Chiesa, offering traditional Piedmontese starters, local cheeses, and cured meats under the shade of a pergola, or at the Pagoda at the village entrance, where the Formont Valsusa Center of Oulx will serve polenta, meats, and cheeses. Local bars and restaurants in Exilles and its hamlets will also be open (reservation recommended).
Afternoon Activities
In the afternoon, historical settings will animate the village streets and squares, with costumed reenactors bringing to life scenes of daily life, traditional crafts, and theatrical and musical performances from 2:30 pm to 6:00 pm.
The event opens with “1915 – The Alpini at the Front”, a powerful reenactment of military life during the Great War, curated by the Trois Piquet Royal Carabinieri Association of Podgora, hosted along Via Roma and Vicolo Colombano Romean. School life will be featured in “Miss Genta’s Classroom”, where the quarrel between the teacher and the town doctor, Dr. Molteni, will be performed by ArTeMuDa, along with a Calligraphy Workshop, teaching how to write with ink and quill, presented by the Tancredi di Barolo Foundation – MUSLI of Turin.
Agricultural traditions will come to life with “The Milk Route”, telling the story of Magna Isolina and her work producing milk and cheese, thanks to the Pro Loco of Exilles. Local gossip and legends will take center stage in “Washerwomen – Fountain Gossip”, a beloved classic of ExillesCittà by the Teatro Insieme Group of Susa.
Music will fill the village with “The Viola, the Organetto, the Violin”, a musical journey through ancient dances by the Parenaperde Cultural Association, and “La Grama Tera”, traditional Piedmontese music and songs by Ricky Avataneo and Umberto Poli. Dance lovers can enjoy “La Belle Époque in Dance”, thanks to Historia Subalpina.
Poetic and gourmet moments await at the Artists’ Café with Christine Daaé and Gaston Leroux (Arianna Cibonfa and Mattia Caritè), where guests can taste liqueurs and desserts.
Special Openings 2025
To celebrate ExillesCittà, several historic sites will be open to the public. The Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows will host “The Devotion of the Prioresses”, showcasing traditional religious garments, while guided tours will be available at the Chapel of Saint Roch and the Parish Church of Saint Peter the Apostle, curated by the Pro Loco of Exilles.
Info: 3337977502 - infoexillescitta@gmail.com.
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