Soussun

Soussun

Lying at 1976 meters, Soussun Village (Souzun in patois) is particularly pictoresque and easy to be reached, because it’s enought to take the dirt road starting on the left of Crest cableway’s terminal; the run takes less than 40 minutes, breaks included, and takes place in beautiful woods. I’ve been there on July 9^th 2004 at 9.25 AM, in a sunny day. Soussun is like Mascognaz: a mountain village born several centuries ago in a little space free from trees, complitely self – sufficient, made by old rascard. Here you’ll find important historic remnants: its walser origins are widely documented by some signals. Its name seems to remind the german word Salz, “salt”: as a matter of fact, in 1771 the village ws called “A’Soussun”, which means “Where salt is sucked”. It’s good to note, in the middle of the curve on the grassy flatland, a little comunal – property mill, dated “1601” as you can see on its architrave. Although hidden by thriving vegetation, it’s still stands by its torrent, and hosts the heavy millstone and the related mechanism, perfectly illustrated on place.

The mill worked in a simply but clever way: the corns got down in a wooden hopper, while the wheel – hit by the water – moved relentlessly the heavy rocky millstone, which turned on another fixed millstone, obtaining flour, which was gathered in sacks. This mill was really precious for Soussun’s population, because the village was dwelled all year long and so it had to be self – sufficient. This little village also hosts a precious chapel, hidden between two medieval rascard (maybe dating back to XV century). There’s another XVII century rascard, and a XIX century house. Archeologists suppose the existance of a community oven, previous of XIX century. Now Soussun also offers a refreshment house, the “Stadel Soussun” (tel. +39 348 6527222) which – although the exagerate pubblicity – kept closed for the whole 2004 summer season. This is a fantastic place, but it’s unadvisable choosing it as aim of your excursion; it’s netter to consider that as an interesting break on the way to Resy or Crest.

It’s in facts possible to reach Resy, following the easy and pleasant run which, starting from Crest, has been taking you to Soussun: you just have to think about a return from St. Jacques, unless you don’t want to do the same way back.