XV Susa, Italy (Segusio)

What3words – treadmills.softball.implored

Visited March 2022

Status – Hidden Gem

Construction Date - 100AD

Capacity - 7,000 -10,000

Friends who have been driving between Turin Airport and the ski resorts of Sestriere, Cesana and Sansicario for decades years were unaware of this Arena until I told them about it, despite the road passing within 100 metres (Until a new toll motorway and tunnels created a 100kph by-pass).

The Val Di Susa has been a major trade/travel/potential invasion route across the alps for centuries. The town was the strategically placed capital of the Gaulish Segusini. In the late 1st century BC it became voluntarily part of the Roman Empire.

Neat, and with plenty of original stonework and seating despite being quarried in past years, the Susa Arena sits within a natural hillside location against the backdrop of the alps. A peaceful stop on the way through the valley and close to other Roman stuff including an Aqueduct and Arch.