• Culture

    Castles

    sentinels of time

CASTLES, TOWERS AND FORTIFIED HOUSES

In Aosta Valley the first castles, towers and fortified houses arose between the beginning of the eleventh and the twelfth centuries, often on top of previous fortifications. In the following centuries, the residential functions began to prevail over the defensive elements.

Whether you meet them along the trail or admire them in a panoramic position on the opposite side of the valley, the castles are ever-present travelling companions along the Balteo Trail.

NOT TO BE MISSED

Fort of Bard

Imposing nineteenth-century fortress along stage 23, it is today a cultural center which houses various museums, including the museum of the Alps, and important temporary exhibitions.  

Issogne Castle

Along stage 21, it houses surprising art treasures, such as the pomegranate fountain and the valuable frescoes of the portico lunettes.

Gamba castle

In Châtillon, along stage 20, the castle houses the regional collection of modern and contemporary art with over 150 works.

FÉNIS CASTLE

Towers and crenellated walls that evoke an adventurous and fairytale dimension, make the Fénis castle one of the most famous and most popular castles to visit in Valle d’Aosta (stages 19 and 20).

CASTLES, TOWERS AND FORTIFIED HOUSES AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE

Castles and towers
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Ville fortified house and tower

Arnad

In the hamlet of Ville stands a complex of buildings, currently in a state of decay and used as a rural dwelling, consisting of a fortified house and a tower, also known as Tor de l’Ohta. The square plan tower is missing its upper section and has walls …

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Castles and towers
Avise Fortified Manor House

Avise Fortified Manor House in Planaval

Arvier

In the hamlet of Planaval, at the start of Valgrisenche, you will find the fortified manor house of Rodolfo d’Avise, built in 1312. The building has a rectangular plan and has a series of loopholes visible from the road that goes up the valley.

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Castles and towers
La Mothe Castle

La Mothe Castle

Arvier

La Mothe castle dominates the village from the top of the hill.Unfortunately only the four-sided tower remains intact, while the ruins of the round tower and the perimeter wall are still visible.The current appearance estimates construction of the castle …

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Castles and towers
La tour cylindrique

Montmayeur Castle

Arvier

The castle was built in 1271 by Anselmo and Aimone D´Avise on a steep promontory over the orographic right bank of the Dora Valgrisenche, in a position dominating the entrance to the valley of the same name. Today it is reduce to ruins, but preserves …

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Castles and towers
The tower

Avise Castle

Avise

Getting to Avise, the first building on the village’s left side, consisting in a three-storey construction with a square tower on its side is the Avise castle, built towards the end of the 15th century by Bonifacio or by Rodolfo d’Avise. The tower’s …

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Castles and towers
Tower with dovetail merlons

Blonay Castle

Avise

Near the parish church, you cannot miss the castle complex, consisting of a square tower (12th century) and a more recent main building (15th century) with exquisite cross windows. The castle was once the residence of the powerful D’Avise family and …

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Castles and towers
Ruderi della casaforte Cré - Avise

Cré Castle

Avise

As you come out of the municipal seat, on the edge of a promontory you find this partly destroyed fortified manor house. Probably built in the 10th century, it is said that it belonged to Pierre d’Avise, vice-administrator of Aosta in 1425. In the …

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Castles and towers
Summertime

Aymavilles Castle

Aymavilles

A castle unique in its kind that combines medieval and baroque phases in its external appearance, the result of the architectural initiatives of the various members of the Challant family who, over the centuries, have adapted the building to the needs …

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Castles and towers
Dall'alto

Fortress of Bard

Bard

The Bard fortress houses four interesting museums and hosts important temporary exhibitions and cultural events.You can access the top of the fortress by following the pedestrian path, which runs between mighty walls starting from the interesting …

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Castles and towers
Remains of the keep and wall

Brissogne Castle

Brissogne

The castle, today in ruins, was built in the 13th century. At present it is still possible to observe the remains of the keep and part of the masonry.

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