The Convent of St Francis in Susa is one of the most fascinating Franciscan complexes in the Alps, where history, art and spirituality blend into a narrative that spans the centuries. Its origins are shrouded in tradition and legend: it is said that St Francis of Assisi, travelling with the first Friars Minor, stopped in the town as a guest of Beatrice of Geneva, wife of Count Thomas I of Savoy. On that occasion, the saint is said to have given a sleeve of his habit as a sign of acceptance of the land intended for the new community: a relic now preserved in Annecy.

Beyond the legend, the convent quickly acquired a central role, not only religious but also civil, distinguishing itself through an unusual feature: unlike many Franciscan foundations of the time, it is not situated on the edge of the Alpine arc, but within it, in a strategic position along the communication routes between Italy and France.

Following its suppression during the Napoleonic era, the complex was returned to the Franciscans in 1899, retaining its function until 2007. Today, the former convent has been converted into a place of welcome for pilgrims and visitors, whilst preserving its spiritual essence intact.

The interior of the church houses an artistic heritage of great value. The right aisle features a 15th-century cycle of paintings depicting the Evangelists and the apostles Peter and Paul, whilst the chapter house contains frescoes dating from 1340–1350 depicting Franciscan saints and blessed figures, including a striking scene of St Francis receiving the stigmata.

Of particular charm is the Chapel of the Nativity, in the left aisle, decorated with a 14th-century cycle of paintings dedicated to the themes of death and salvation. Among the most striking scenes are the Crucifixion and the famous depiction of the ‘procession of the three living and the three dead’, a powerful medieval allegory on the transience of life.

The outdoor spaces also tell the story of the convent: in the main cloister, dedicated to St Francis, there are 13th- and 14th-century inscriptions, stone fragments and splendid terracotta windows in the Piedmontese Gothic style. On the walls, one can also glimpse the remains of 15th-century frescoes depicting St Anne, the Virgin and Child, and a male figure.

Today, the Convent of St Francis is a truly evocative stop for visitors to Susa: a place where the silence of the mountains meets medieval art, offering an authentic experience of history, faith and culture.