HISTORY

Meana is one of the most ancient medieval communes of the Susa valley. We find its name for the first time in 1212. During that period the village belonged to the lords of the castle of Susa and, in general, because of its bordering the city of Susa, the history of Meana has always been closely linked to the history of Susa.

During the Roman period the inhabitants of Meana were mainly farmers, descending from ancient sheperds who settled there during the prehistory. Ancient stone carvings have been found in an area that probably was a worship place.
The terraces and small valleys which characterize the village territory encouraged the settlement of farmers who could then easily sell their products in the local market.

From the Roman period onwards Meana was also a resort where many rich city families went to relax and unwind. This is testified by two tombstones and a tomb found on the hill where San Costanzo chapel rises.

During the XVI century many village dwellers were Waldenses.

From the Middle Ages to the XVIII century there are very few reliable historical documents. On the contrary, from the XIX century onwards there are many documents about the village history.

It is interesting to know that the name "Meana di Susa" was given to the village after the unity of Itay (decree 12 December 1862).

Meana was involved in the several wars which were fighted from 1500 to the XX century and many of its dwellers died during those conflicts. Despite this, in the village there are very few military buildings. A building that had an important military function was the square tower, called "Torre delle Combe", which rises near a building called "the Castle" and which could have been used either as a signal-tower or as a watch-tower.

The village dwellers participated actively to the Resistance, in the partisan groups "Giustizia e Libertà" and "Autonome". Ada Marchesini Gobetti, who chose Meana as her favourite holiday restort, made borgata "Cordola" - the area where she lived - one of the first bases of the Resistance in the whole valley.

Comune di Meana di Susa
Piazza Europa, 1
10050 Meana di Susa (To)
Phone: +39 0122 39161
Fax: +39 0122 39533
E-mai: info@comune.meanadisusa.to.it