• 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
Castello di Graines - Brusson

Graines Castle

Brusson

The ancient building still shows the remains of the east-facing minor Romanesque church, dedicated to Saint Martin and its boundary walls on either side of the nave. Worthy of note are also the decorations in the apse and the well-preserved facework with …

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Castles and towers
Challand-Saint-Victor tower and panorama

Torre Bonot or Tour des Signaux

Challand-Saint-Victor

The tower, situated in the Bonod hamlet at an altitude of 744 m, can be reached on foot through a short path going from the hamlet of Isollaz. Tall about twelve metres, cylindrical in form and with no turrets, it has a single, high entrance, reached via …

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Castles and towers
Castello di Villa

Villa Castle

Challand-Saint-Victor

This is the oldest manor belonging to the Challant noble family, one of the most important in Aosta Valley. It was built around the 10th century, but took its final form in the first decades of the 14th, thanks to the works carried out by Ebalo I of …

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Castles and towers
Palazzo Roncas Chambave

Roncas Palace

Chambave

The building, situated at the western entrance of the Chambave village, was built in the 17th century by the Baron of Cly, Pietro Filiberto Roncas, using material from Cly castle. The baron moved there, also transferring the jurisdiction of the Cly …

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Castles and towers
Challant House's tower

Challant House - Maison Fournier

Champoluc/Ayas/Antagnod

In the historical centre of Antagnod, you will find one of the most beautiful rustic houses of the whole of Val d’Aosta: the famous “Maison Fournier”, which is still magnificently preserved. This small fortified house was once property of the Counts of …

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Castles and towers
Square tower with dovetail merlons

Champorcher Castle

Champorcher

As the Bard Fortress, Champorcher Castle also belonged to the powerful Lords of Bard, until the fratricidal war between William and Hugo in 1212. Little is known of this early building: we know that it was burned down by order of Hugo of Bard, which …

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Castles and towers
Church of Santa Colomba and remains of the castle

Charvensod Castle

Charvensod

Built in the XIV century, it belonged to the Bishops of Aosta until the middle of the 19th century. Today in ruins, a few remains of the boundary wall and of a circular tower are still visible.

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Castles and towers
cappella Saint-Clair - Châtillon

Des Rives Castle

Châtillon

On the moraine hill of Saint-Clair, south of the railway station in Châtillon, you can see a few remains of an ancient wall: these are the last remains of the Des Rives castle, at whose foot there was an ancient village, already abandoned in 1242, owing …

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Castles and towers
Gamba castle

Gamba Castle

Châtillon

An aristocratic palace from the early twentieth century, surrounded by a 50,000 m² park, transformed into a museum where masterpieces of modern and contemporary art can be admired in its galleries. Buy your tickets on-lineThe castleBuilt at the beginning …

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Castles and towers
The Castle and Nature

Passerin d'Entrèves castle

Châtillon

Châtillon castle is behind the parish church immersed in a beautiful park.It appears to date back to Roman times, as its name derives from “castrum” (=“castle”), and therefore points to there being a Roman fortress in its place.After changing hands …

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