• 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 San Vittore - Challand-Saint-Victor

Parish church of San Vittore

Challand-Saint-Victor

This parish is mentioned for the first time in the papal bull dated 5th April 1145 with which pope Eugene III took the canons of Saint-Gilles di Verrès under his protection. The parish church of San Vittore is rectangular in shape and has a single nave. …

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Churches and shrines
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Targnod Chapel

Challand-Saint-Victor

La Cappella di Targnod è dedicata a Saint-Préjet (Proietto), soldato romano, fu compagno di martirio di san Maurizio e di san Vittore. Nel patois locale infatti “predzi” significa “parlare” e per questo ancora oggi si invoca il Santo a cui è dedicata la …

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Churches and shrines
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Villa Chapel

Challand-Saint-Victor

Costruita nel XVII secolo e poi completamente rifatta nel XIX mostra, sulla facciata,un affresco del 1872 del pittore Sogno. Vi appaiono la Vergine Addolorata e due angeli. All’interno, tela del Seicento con la Pietà, san Francesco, santa Lucia ed un …

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Churches and shrines
Chiesa di San Lorenzo - Chambave

Parish church of San Lorenzo

Chambave

At the beginning of the 12th century, the parish was dependant on the monastery of Fruttuaria, which transferred it in 1182, along with all the other assets held by the abbey in Valle d’Aosta, to the parish of St-Gilles di Verrès. This two-fold …

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Churches and shrines
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Cappella della Santissima Trinità

Chamois

Founded in 1691 by Laurent Jeanthon, who gave it an annual income of 120 Lire for maintenance expenses; interdicted in 1786, it was restored in 1880 and dedicated on that occasion to Saint Roch. The facade includes floral motifs that exit from two vases …

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Churches and shrines
Holy Trinity and Saint Roch chapel

Chapel of Saint Dominic Savio

Chamois

In 1970 Sir Amato Gorret of Valtournenche ordered to build this chapel in form of half barrel with the access door oriented towards Chamois at 2500 meters of altitude, on Col Clavalité’s water divide. Every year, during the first week of August, the …

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Churches and shrines
Chapel of the Transfiguration of Jesus

Chapel of the Transfiguration of Jesus

Chamois

A circular building (2 meters in diameter) dating back to 1856, however it is built on a previous structure in the Crépin district. Its founder (depicted inside of normal size) appears to be Bonaventura Lettry according to some, while others claim him to …

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Churches and shrines
Notre Dame de Pitié chapel

Notre Dame de Pitié chapel

Chamois

Located in the village of Suisse. It dates back to 1930, however a previous building located further east was founded in 1707, renovated in 1747 and later abandoned.Furnishings mentioned in the XX century church by Mons. Brunod include a gilded, brass …

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Churches and shrines
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Saint Pantaleon parish church

Chamois

The territory of Chamois formed part of the parish of Antey up to the XVII century. The parish church was erected on the 21st July 1681 by Mons. Bailly, however a rector was present from as early as 1621. The church was very different in ancient times …

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Churches and shrines
Chiesetta di Chevrere - Champdepraz

Chapel of the Madonna delle Nevi

Champdepraz

This very ancient chapel is located within the hamlet of Chevrère. Prior to the promotion of the territory of Champdepraz to a parish, it was part of the parish of Saint-Germain.

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