The Sacra di San Michele is a symbolic monument of the Piedmont region, it is an extraordinary ancient abbey founded at the end of the 10th century and characterized by fascinating architecture. The church, built on the abbey juts up from the bed rock of the Earth, leaving visitors marveling at the grand structure. Built between 983 and 987 AD on the top of Mount Pirchiriano, dedicated to the worship of Michael the Archangel, the church was born as a Benedictine abbey and since 1836 it has been managed by the Rosminian fathers. Since 1994, it has been recognized as a symbol of the Piedmont region. From the top of its towers you can admire the regional capital and a breathtaking view over the Val di Susa.
It is one of a group of abbeys dedicated to St Michael that form a pilgrimage route more than 2,000 km long. All of the abbeys along the route lie in a perfectly straight line, presumed to be an energetic ley line, running from Israel to Ireland. The sect was known for building their places of worship in dangerous or relatively inaccessible, like mountain tops, deep caves, or rocky promontories.
Some members of the royal family of the House of Savoy are buried inside the Church of the abbey, dating back to the XII century.
Getting there
How to get there: You can reach the Sacra di San Michele by car, bus, train, or on foot.
By car To reach the Sacra ticket office from the car park located in the Piazzale Croce Nera, you need to follow the asphalt road, which is slightly uphill (800 m – 15 min. on foot)
The municipal parking located in Piazzale Croce Nera is paid – for cars and buses.
Bus rate € 15/h. Car rate € 2.50 for the first hour and € 2.00 for the following hours.
To search on satellite navigator and Google Maps, type ABBAZIA SACRA DI SAN MICHELE or COLLE CROCE NERA, 10050, Chiusa San Michele.
The easiest way to visit the Sacra di San Michele is to take a taxi, bus or train to Sant’Ambrogio station.
By bus – Only available April 1st to October 31st
Change on bus to Avigliana FS (Piazzetta De André): 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m..
Bus departure from the Sacra di San Michele: 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m..
Cost of the combined train+bus ticket: €6.00 single journey.
Tickets can be purchased on Trenitalia.com by inserting “Sacra di San Michele” as your starting or destination station.
By showing the combined TRAIN + BUS pass, you’re entitled to a 25% discount on your entry ticket to the Sacra!
If you’re coming from Turin, it’s easy to take the train to the two main starting points for a hike up the mountain.
Torino Porta Nuova to Sant’Ambrogio, 1 train per hour, 30 mins, €4
Torino Porta Nuova to Chiusa di San Michele, 1 train per hour, 40 mins, €4
Train departure from Torino Porta Nuova: timetables on Trenitalia.com
There are multiple trails leading to the Sacra di San Michele, each varying in difficulty and duration. The most common trail is the one starting from the town of Sant’Ambrogio. It’s a moderately challenging hike, taking around 1.5 to 2 hours to reach the top. The trail is all up hill but not terribly steep.
You can access Sant’Ambrogio via the train which makes this the most convenient trail for most tourist to access. From the train station you walk through the small town of Sant’Ambrogio, you will see signs directing you towards the trail head. This trail is actual an ancient mule track, it is a wide and panoramic paved path that historically was the main link between the abbey and the valley.
The hike:
I embarked on the ‘common trail’ which begins from Sant’Ambrogio. I walked from the train station through the quant little village. It takes less than 10 minutes to get to the trail head from the train station. You can see the Sacra di san Michelle from the town and looking up at the marvel, filled me with excitement and the energy I needed to get to the top.
To being the trail you must find a large catholic church, Chiesa di San Giovanni Vincenzo, in the center of the town. Once you find the church walk to the back through the parking lot and you will see the trail head.
The beginning of the hike will be through the residential neighborhood hills and as you begin the old mule path you will see crosses that mark the trail. After you pass the last houses you will be in the wooded hillside on a trail paved with rounded stones. It was quite slippery and not very fun to walk on in boots. Be sure to wear shoes with good grip. There are plenty of rest stops with water refill stations on the way up, they are super old and super cute, the water is potable and cold.
You will make it to the Italian village Chiusa di San Michele, indicating you are more than halfway there. Check out the Birrificio San Michele brewery located up here (if they’re open it’s worth a stop).
Other trail option: There is another popular trail from Frazione Mortera that leads up to the abbey from a slightly different direction. It takes about the same amount of time (around 1.5 hours) but is less steep, since you start from a higher altitude.
You can also leave from Chiusa di San Michele, and hike up the mule track to the abbey.
The Sacra di San Michele: a symbol of Piedmont and
the place that inspired the writer Umberto Eco to conceive the best-seller “The Name of the Rose”
Entry Prices
Adults €8
Reduced €6 (ages 6 to 18 and over 65)
Family ticket €6 per person, 2 adults & 2 kids (6–18)
Free Kids under age 6 and any disabled persons and holders of the Abbonamento Musei or Torino + Piemonte Card Pass.
The ticket allows you to visit the abbey independently. The tour includes the Staircase of the Dead, the Portal of the Zodiac, the Church, the panoramic terrace, and the Ruins of the New Monastery. Along the way there are QR codes with explanatory videos. You do not need to purchase tickets in advance but you can if you want to.
Opening Hours
The opening hours of the abbey are a little complicated and they change frequently based on time of day and year. Details below.
| Winter Hours: October 16 to March 15 | Summer Hours: March 16 to October 15 |
| Monday to Friday — 9.30 am to 12.30 pm & 2.30 pm to 5 pm Saturday — 9.30 am to 5 pm Sunday & public holidays — 9.30 am to 5 pm (entry from 12 pm to 1 pm only for the participation in the Saint Mass) January & February — closed Monday (except public holidays) | Monday to Friday — 9.30 am to 12.30 pm & from 2.30 pm to 6pm Saturday — 9.30 am to 6 pm Sunday & public holidays — 9.30 am to 6 pm (entry from 12 pm to 1 pm only for the participation in the Saint Mass) Easter Monday, April 25, May 1, June 2 — 9.30 am to 7 pm July & August every day — 9.30 am to 7 pm |