Patrimonio architettonico religioso di ordini e congregazioni in Valle di Susa nel XXI secolo: uso sociale e ruolo delle committenze nei processi di trasformazione, restauro e valorizzazione

The historical importance of the Valsusina area derives from the constant confrontation between the settlements and the crossings; in fact, the Valley has always been one of the main routes across the Alps, starting from prehistoric times, and its history continues with the remains of the Roman era and with the medieval Via Francigena. The widespread presence in the territory of abbeys, the Prevostura of Oulx, the Cathedral in Susa, and the Carthusian monasteries, is the direct consequence of the frequentation of the pilgrims on the roads that led to the passes. Medieval churches are the most significant presence of the anthropization of the territory after the year 1000 and, together with a capillary monastic presence, characterize the religious settlements of the Valley. The Susa Valley has been affected in the last 40 years by significant transformations that have changed its environment and heritage, particularly the religious one. Orders and congregations have often shown themselves to be prudent commissions capable of interpreting and managing changes in the governance of their properties about a growing and widespread decline in vocations, the cause of undoubted difficulties in guaranteeing proper maintenance and conservation of assets entrusted to them. The proposed contribution intends to reflect on the modalities of transformation and compatibility of use of this heritage through the case study of the Abbey of Novalesa, highlighting the role of the religious commission and underlining how the activation of best practices in the conservation and enhancement processes, also with an objective aimed at social inclusion, is the result of a shared and synergistic action between the main stakeholders operating in the territory, the local authorities, and the clients.