Sights in Valle D'aosta
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Chiesa di Sant’Orso
Aosta’s most intriguing sight is this church, which is part of a still-operating monastery. The church dates back to the 10th century but was altered on several occasions, notably in the 15th century when Giorgio di Challant of the ruling family ordered the original frescoes painted over and a new, lower roof installed. All was not lost: the renovations left the upper levels of the frescoes intact above the new roofline. You can ask the warden to unlock the door, letting you clamber up a narrow flight of wooden steps into the cavity between the original and 15th-century ceilings to view the well-preserved remnants.
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Aosta Cathedral
Aosta's imposing cathedral has a neoclassical facade dedicated to the Madonna and dating from the 11th century, along with two Romanesque bell towers. but within is an impressive Gothic interior featuring carved 15th-century walnut-wood choir stalls and decorative floor mosaics.
In the deambulatory of the Aosta Cathedral, the Tesoro Museum houses a formidable collection of religious art treasures including paintings, marble sculptures and wooden icons dating back to the 4th century.
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La Maison de la Fontina
Want to find some of the best Valdostan fontina cheese in the valley? This whiffy shop has been stocking the celebrated local cheese since 1937. Fontina must be made from the unpasteurised milk of Valdostan cows, matured in rock tunnels for three months and brushed and salted on alternate days. The result is a pungent, salty and potent hard cheese.
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Cattedrale Santa Maria Assunta
The neoclassical facade of Aosta’s cathedral belies the impressive Gothic interior. Inside, the carved 15th-century walnut-wood choir stalls are particularly beautiful. Two mosaics on the floor, dating from the 12th to the 13th centuries, are also worth studying.
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Sacro Monte di Varallo
The amazing Sacro Monte di Varallo is a series of 50 chapels and 800 life-sized religious statues dating back to the 15th century that depict the Passion of Christ. The Monte is accessed via a walking path from Piazza Ferrari in town.
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Arch of Augustus
Dominating Piazza Arco di Augusto, this symbolic stone archway was built by the Romans in 25 BC to celebrate their victory over the Celtic Salassi. Across the Buthier River, a cobbled Roman bridge dates back to the 1st century.
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Roman Theatre
Going north along Via di Bailliage and down a dust track brings you to Aosta’s Roman theatre. Part of its 22m-high facade is still intact. In summer, performances are held in the better-preserved lower section.
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Museo Walser
You can find out more about the Walser community’s history at the excellent Museo Walser in Pedemonte just north of Alagna Valsesia (1191m), a small ski resort at the head of Valsesia.
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Castel Savoia
Queen Margherita picked Gressoney-St-Jean as the location for Castel Savoia in 1894, a dreamlike mansion enjoyed by the Italian royals well into the 1900s.
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Museo Alpino Duca degli Abruzzi
The Società delle Guide Alpine di Courmayeur's dramatic history unfolds in the Museo Alpino Duca degli Abruzzi.
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Arco di Augusto
The grand triumphal arch, Arco di Augusto has been strung with a crucifix in its centre since medieval times.
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Museo del Tesoro
The religious art treasures displayed in the Museo del Tesoro are worth studying.
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Forte di Bard
Down the Valle d’Aosta, towards Pont-St-Martin, the hulking Forte di Bard was a no-nonsense military outpost given short shrift by Napoleon on his first campaign into Italy. Today it contains Il Museo delle Alpi and mounts archaeological and science-oriented exhibitions, which cost an additional €3 for adults and €2 for children.
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Castello di Verrès
Past St-Vincent is the sober Castello di Verrès, a late-Gothic monolith that stands on the ancient Via Francigena, a pilgrims’ path between Canterbury in England and Rome.
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Castello d’Issogne
Around 1km southwest of the Dora Baltea river, below the town of Verrès, is the 15th-century Castello d’Issogne. This building was a castle, although you would hardly know it – it looks more like a stately home.
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Castello di Sarre
Heading west from Aosta towards Mont Blanc, you’ll quickly come across Castello di Sarre. Built in 1710 on the remains of a 13th-century fort, it was then bought by King Vittorio Emanuele II in 1869 to use as a hunting residence. The Savoys sold the castle in 1972 and it now serves as a museum of the royal presence in the region.
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Castello di Sainte-Pierre
Castello di Sainte-Pierre is home to a natural history museum with changing exhibitions.
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Castello di Fénis
East from Aosta is the magnificently restored Castello di Fénis. Formerly owned by the Challant family, it features rich frescoes. It was never really used as a defensive post but served as a plush residence.
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