• 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
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Sant'Antonio Abate Chapel in Ville

Arnad

Situated in the hamlet of Ville, in the old town of Arnad. At a first glance the depiction of the saint frescoed on the facade stands out. The entrance is protected by the large projection from the roof, the beam of which has the date 1785 inscribed on …

Churches and shrines
Sanctuary of the Madonna della Neve of Machaby

Shrine of the Madonna della Neve of Machaby (Madonna of the snow)

Arnad

The shrine is located at a height of 696 metres, in the Machaby valley and not far from the centre of Arnad, in a splendid position among the chestnut forests. The building, which originates from the fourteenth century, was rebuilt entirely in 1687. As …

Churches and shrines
The belltower...

Saint Sulpitius parish church

Arvier

According to an oral tradition, which has not been supported by any documental evidence, the church of Arvier was once located within the district of Leverogne. The church was later built under the castle with the monumental bell tower which appears, …

Churches and shrines
The sanctuary

Shrine of Rochefort

Arvier

The shrine of Rochefort, dedicated to Maria Ausiliatrice (Our Lady Help of Christians) was erected at the end of the nineteenth century on the headland where the castle of the Lords of Avise once stood, it was already in ruins at the end of the 18th …

Churches and shrines
The church and the Blonay castle

Saint Brice parish church

Avise

Situated in the chief town, the building was erected on the foundations of another older, low, irregular and small one, which was entirely demolished. According to tradition, the parish church once stood between Runaz and Pierre Taillée, on the Roman …

Churches and shrines
Among the trees

Saint Theodule chapel

Avise

The chapel is located within the hamlet of Cerellaz, at a short distance from the municipality of Saint Nicolas. Inside the eighteenth century building there is a large canvas showing the Descent from the Cross. Apart from two bishops, the saints Roch, …

Churches and shrines
Sant'Anna chapel in Cérignan  - Aymavilles

Chapel of Sant'Anna in Cérignan

Aymavilles

The Saint Ann chapel, in Cerignan, was built in 1749. The construction was financed by the people of the village, which was almost two hours away from the mother church of Aymavilles, in order to invoke the protection of the saint and receive the …

Churches and shrines
Panorama di Aymavilles

Chapel of the Saints Barbara and Margaret in the hamlet of Sylvenoire

Aymavilles

Chapel of the Saints Barbara and Margaret, in the hamlet of Sylvenoire, is certified as originating from the 16th century, but rebuilt in the nineteenth century.

Churches and shrines
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Chapel of the Saints Barbara and Theodule in Ozein

Aymavilles

Chapel of the Saints Barbara and Theodule, in Ozein, dating back to the 16th century, but rebuilt in the nineteenth century. Every year, during the month of August, the statue of Saint Theodule is brought around in a procession, decorated with bunches …

Churches and shrines
The façade

Parish church of Saint-Martin

Aymavilles

The church of Saint Martin, today the parish church of “Cristo Re”, is located in the heart of the capital village of Aymavilles. In the past it was one of the two parishes of Aymavilles, together with that of Saint-Léger (Saint Leodegar), until their …