• 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
prospettiva interna della Tour de l'Archet a Morgex

De l'Archet tower

Morgex

Located in the centre of the village, this tower, with its walls 9 metres lenght and 2,60 metres thick, reminds in its construction technique of the towers of La Plantà in Gressan and Ville in Arnad. The dendrometric analyses prove that it was built …

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Castles and towers
Pascal Castle in la Ruine

Pascal Castle in la Ruine

Morgex

Located west of the hamlet of La Ruine, not far from the stream, it is a complex of buildings forming a castle. The oldest building stands on the east side, in the form of a tower-house. It has windows in worked stone, with architraves bearing a …

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Castles and towers
Southern view

Nus Castle

Nus

The castle stands above Nus, near the hamlet of Plane, on a rocky projection, which dominates the entrance to the valley of Saint-Barthélemy. According to available documentation, the building can be traced at least as far back as the end of the 13th …

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Castles and towers
Outside

Pilato Castle

Nus

Situated in the centre of Nus, it was built by the lords of Nus in the 12th-13th century. Its owners abandoned it after a fire, preferring the castle on the hill (Nus Castle). The castle gets its name from the legend which claims that Pontius Pilate …

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Castles and towers
In summer

La Tornalla

Oyace

Located in an isolated position, outside of the municipal centre, the castle tower is mentioned in a document of 1197, which says about an “allodium at Ayacy” donated by a certain Ricalmo to the church of Sant’Orso. Before that, it belonged to some …

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Castles and towers
Among the trees

Héréraz tower

Perloz

Héréraz (or Hérères) castle belonged to the Vallaise-Hérères branch, which died out in 1390. The original residential building was transformed into a parish house and the perimeter wall was used as building material for the church. The castle’s donjon, …

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Castles and towers
The façad's majesty

Vallaise Castle

Perloz

Situated in the centre of the municipal seat, the castle is the oldest in Perloz, and certainly dates back to the 12th century, as confirmed by a document from 1195, which refers to a “sala domini” in Perloz. It is still known as the “Ohtal” (from the …

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Castles and towers
In summer

Vallaise “Charles” Castle

Perloz

Charles castle is a series of fortified houses. It was inhabited by Charles, notary and lord of Perloz and royal judge in Bard who, in 1709, having contributed to liberating the fortress of Bard from the French, was awarded with a noble title by Duke …

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Castles and towers
The imposing façade

Baraing Castle

Pont-Saint-Martin

Its construction began in 1883 on a rock overlooking the ancient burg, as wished by Pietro Annibale Baraing, one of the most important figures in Pont-Saint-Martin. Built in neo-gothic style, according to the style of the era, it was surrounded by a …

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Castles and towers
The imposing building

L' Castel fortified house

Pont-Saint-Martin

Formerly known as della Rivoire, the castle was built in different phases and used as a residence by the lords of Pont-Saint-Martin starting from the end of the 15th century. Remodeled several times, while still maintaining various significant aspects, …

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