Castles of Aosta Valley
Castello di Fénis
Castles of Aosta Valley
Japanese version
Aosta Valley ヴァッレ・ダオスタ州の城 日本語PDFダウンロードはこちらから
In the heart of the Alps, on the border with France and Switzerland, lies the smallest region in Italy: the Aosta Valley. Enclosed between always snow-capped peaks - including the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa and Gran Paradiso, which all exceed 4000 meters -, it offers natural landscapes of great beauty. Well known by skiers, sportspeople and outdoors enthusiasts, it is an all-year-round tourist destination with a wealth of cultural heritage.
In the Middle Ages, the strategic position of the Aosta Valley, which made it an access route to the Alpine passes, was a source of contention between the local noble families; castles, towers and house-forts were therefore built to control the valley floor and the lateral valleys. As the centuries passed, many manors transformed from defense systems into stately homes, adapting to the eras and fashions; others, slowly, were abandoned. Today, these places full of art, history and legends, enhanced by the beauty of the landscape, fascinate visitors with their fairy-tale enchantment.
Below we list the main castles that can be visited:
Savoy castle rises in Gressoney-Saint-Jean surrounded by the colours of a rocky Alpine garden. Queen Margherita of Savoy used to spend her summers here.
The Fortress of Bard, was an unconquerable 19th century barrier fortress. Today it is a European cultural centre, with museum and exhibition spaces.
Issogne castle, an expression of the metamorphosis of the Gothic into the Renaissance, contains surprising art treasures, such as the pomegranate fountain.
Verrès castle boasts elements of great elegance, such as the staircase with flying buttresses and the mullioned windows in dressed stone, which combine with the essential defence system.
Ussel Castle is an imposing defensive monoblock, which seems to emerge from the rock to dominate the Dora valley and the village of Châtillon.
Gamba castle houses the regional collection of modern and contemporary art, with over 1500 works exhibited in 13 rooms of the castle.
Cly castle is one of the oldest castles in the Aosta Valley. The large defensive walls, crowned by gabled Guelph merlons, surround the buildings built between the 11th and 14th centuries.
Fénis castle, with its towers and crenelated walls that evoke adventure and fairy-tale charm, is one of the most famous castles in the Aosta Valley.
Sarre castle, the hunting and holiday residence of the Savoy, tells the story about the life of the royal family in the Aosta Valley.
The castle of Saint-Pierre is home to the regional museum of natural sciences, which enhances both the historical-architectural asset and the scientific-naturalistic aspect.
The Sarriod de La Tour castle, also in Saint-Pierre, stands among the orchards, on a flat area overlooking the Dora Baltea.
Aymavilles castle, in its external appearance, concentrates medieval and baroque phases, the result of the initiatives of the various members of the Challant family, who over the centuries have adapted the building to the needs and tastes of the time.
Introd castle forms with its original polygonal plan, the park and surrounding buildings, an architectural ensemble of great interest.
Top 5 experiences
- Aosta the Rome of the Alps
A walk in the centre of Aosta is a unique experience to admire the testimonies of its glorious past: the Augustus Arch, the Porta Praetoria, the Roman Theatre, the city walls, the perimeter towers, the Forum with the cryptoporticus, the Villa della Consolata, the funerary area amongst many more.
- Cammino Balteo
A low-altitude hiking itinerary of almost 350 km, a journey into culture and history through ancient picturesque villages and imposing castles, immersed in a varied landscape that alternates woods and pastures with gardens and vineyards.
- Hot air balloon flight
Finding yourself suspended at over 2,000 metres, face to face with the highest mountains in Europe, certainly doesn't happen every day, but it is a strong emotion and a unique experience to observe the most beautiful castles in the Region from above.
- Skyway Mont Blanc
You don't need to be a mountaineer to climb to high altitude! From 1,300 meters of Courmayeur to 3,466 metres of Punta Helbronner - with an intermediate stop in Pavillon at 2,173 meters - you can admire Mont Blanc and all the surrounding Alpine peaks up close.
- Matterhorn Alpine Crossing
The new spectacular Matterhorn Glacier Ride II cable car connects Breuil-Cervinia and Zermatt allowing you to cross the highest cross-border pass in the Alps. For the first time you can travel from Italy to Switzerland – and vice versa – and enjoy the spectacular high altitude landscapes not only on skis, but also from the comfort of your seat, reaching 3,883 metres of altitude at the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise station.