• Culture

    CHURCHES

    spirituality and tradition

PLACES OF WORSHIP

Churches and chapels, many of which are significant from a historical and artistic point of view, are found in all the villages crossed by the Balteo Trail.

Religious devotion pervades this land, where crosses and shrines were built in the past, even in harsh and dangerous places, to invoke protection or to favour crops.

NOT TO BE MISSED

Sant'Orso

The cloister of the church of Sant’Orso in Aosta (stages 18-19) is considered among the highest expressions of Romanesque religious sculpture. The wooden choir, the ancient frescoes in the attic and the chapel of the Priorship are also noteworthy.

THE CATHEDRAL OF AOSTA

The Renaissance makes its entrance into Aosta with the shapes and colors of terracotta on the facade of the Cathedral. The wooden stalls in the choir, the floor mosaics, the Ottonian frescoes in the attic and the museum of treasures are also worthy of …

THE shrine OF MACHABY

Above Arnad, along stage 4, there is an ancient shrine dedicated to the Madonna of the Snow. A hostel built in a 17th-century fort and a holiday farm serving snacks based on local products offer their hospitality.

SAN MARTINO CHURCH

In Arnad (stages 4 and 22) the stone shows the sacredness of the building, a precious pearl of history and beauty. The structure (11th century) in the Romanesque style and the 14th- and 15th-century frescoes are noteworthy.

MADELEINE CHAPEL

In Gressan, a few steps off the route (stage 18), the Romanesque church of Sainte-Marie-Magdeleine de Villa is known as the "Madeleine Chapel". The apse, the 12th-century bell tower and the frescoes by the painter Giacomino d'Ivrea are outstanding.

SAINT-VINCENT CHURCH

The church, in the welcoming pedestrian center of Saint-Vincent (stage 7), stands on the remains of a Roman building dating back to 300-400 AD.

CHURCHES ALONG THE TRAIL

Churches and shrines
Chiesa di Sant'Andrea - Allein

Parish Church of Sant'Andrea

Allein

It seems the original church, located in the Villa district, dates back to 1307; problems caused by land sliding meant numerous reconstructions were necessary, firstly in 1433 and again in 1525, however at the start of the last century the church was …

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Churches and shrines
Cappella di Challien

Challien Chapel

Antey-Saint-André

Dating from 1716. The facade hosts frescoes depicting St. Peter, St. Andrew and the Cross.Inside, the wooden altar with a crucifix and candlesticks from the nineteenth century. 

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Churches and shrines
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Fiernaz Chapel

Antey-Saint-André

It is dedicated to the Visitation of Mary. It was erected in 1837 by the villagers, after the previous one - dedicated to S. Rocco - went into ruins. This Saint is still depicted on the facade, together with San Giorgio, the Madonna and the Eternal …

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Hérin Chapel

Antey-Saint-André

Dedicated to Santa Barbara. The date of 1890 can be read on the beam, but the date of construction of the chapel dates back to 1722. On the facade there are the frescoes of Our Lady of the Hermits, Santa Barbara and San Grato.

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Churches and shrines
Navillod in inverno

Lod Chapel

Antey-Saint-André

Built in 1726, it was originally dedicated to the Madonna Madre del Buon Consiglio, but later the patron saint became San Pietro in Vincoli. On the facade, paintings attributed to Zanone depict Saint Peter and the Good Shepherd. Inside, the wooden altar …

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Churches and shrines
Cerian's chapel

Madonna di Lourdes chapel in Cerian

Antey-Saint-André

Dedicated to Madonna of Lourdes and St. Lucia and St. Gratus, as results from the three, beautiful frescoes on the front.The old chapel probably dates back to the XVI century. The chapel fell into ruin towards 1878 and was rebuilt in 1886 with the …

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Churches and shrines
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Madonna di Oropa Chapel in Buisson

Antey-Saint-André

BuissonDedicated to Madonna di Oropa and built in 1748.The stone altar has a gilded, wooden tabernacle by Joseph Meynet, dating from 1910; it is completed with six candlesticks and a crucifix.

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Navillod Chapel

Antey-Saint-André

It is named after Saint John the Baptist and stands under the village that once belonged to the Parish of Torgnon. This chapel already existed in 1637, but in 1844 it was enlarged and the choir was built. It has a tall and soaring bell tower and for the …

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Churches and shrines
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Petit Antey Chapel

Antey-Saint-André

Its considerable size suggests that it once served as a parish church. It is dedicated to the Addolorata, which a fresco by Curta, dating back to 1863, represents on the facade, above the entrance door. Inside, there is a noteworthy colored wooden altar …

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Churches and shrines
Overview

Saint Andrew parish church

Antey-Saint-André

The church, dedicated to Saint Andrew, dates back to the mid XV century; it originally only had one nave, while the aisles were added in the XVII century. The belltower stands alone at the foot of the church door; tradition identifies it as a donjon ( …

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