• 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
Chapel of Saint-Évence

Chapel of Saint-Évence

Torgnon

In a dominant position over Valtournenche and the entire valley floor, the chapel of Saint-Évence stands on a panoramic plateau that can be reached in about half an hour's walk from Col Saint-Pantaléon. Its origin is ancient: it existed as early as the 13 …

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Churches and shrines
Chapel of Saint-Pantaléon

Chapel of Saint-Pantaléon

Torgnon

The chapel of Saint-Pantaléon is located just below the hill of the same name, nestled among the pines along the ancient gravel path that climbs from the Torgnon side. It is a secluded and silent place, where the intensity of popular devotion is still …

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Churches and shrines
Chapel of Triatel

Chapel of Triatel

Torgnon

The chapel of Triatel, nestled in the stillness of the village bearing the same name, retains an aura of mystery that fascinates anyone approaching it. Its origins are lost in time: there are records of it as early as 1588, when it was dedicated to Saint …

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Churches and shrines
Chiesa di San Martino - Torgnon

Saint Martin parish church

Torgnon

The oldest historic news dates back to 1413, however the current construction in Neogothic style dates back to 1868. The facade presents the most recent decorations inside tondos and mullioned windows. They depict: the Virgin with Child, with two angels …

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Churches and shrines
The church from the parvis

Saint Gratus parish church

Valgrisenche

The church was built between 1871 and 1875 and consecrated by Monsignor Duc, the bishop of Aosta, on June 9th 1876. It replaced the old church, erected when the parish was established (1392), restored and extended in 1666 and 1821. The works were carried …

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Churches and shrines
Mondanges chapel

The Montanges chapel

Valgrisenche

The Mondanges chapel, built in 1648, is dedicated to Saints Joseph, Hilary and Barbara.In the years 1890-1891, the chapel was rebuilt in neo-Gothic style by the entrepreneur and architect Giuseppe Lancia.It is characterised by its tall, slender façade …

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Churches and shrines
Church of San Pantaleone - Valpelline

Parish church of San Pantaleone

Valpelline

The church was built in 1722. It has three naves divided up by stone monolithic columns. INTERESTING DETAILS: -the stone portal with carved paneled doorway, surmounted by a wooden statute of the patron Saint Pantaleon, which took the place of the …

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Churches and shrines
View in autumn

Parish church of Our Lady of Carmel

Valsavarenche

The first news of a chapel dates back to 1296, however the parish church was built in 1493. The only surviving feature from that era is the belltower. The new parish church was inaugurated in 1673, leaning against the belltower (traces on the wall are …

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Churches and shrines
Façade of the Crétaz chapel

Chapels

Valtournenche

Barmasse - located on the road to Valmartin, at the foot of the rocks forming a shelter (called the “barmes”) and some buildings in the tiny village. It was built in 1926 by Pietro Hosquet and dedicated to Madonna of Lourdes; it still belongs to the …

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Churches and shrines
Outside

Saint Anthony parish church

Valtournenche

The church faces the quiet, little square in the heart of the village’s centre where inscriptions recall the most famous alpine guides in the valley. The building dates back to 1420, the year in which it replaced a previous chapel from 1412. It has a …

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