Chapel of Saint Joseph
Resort: Gressoney-Saint-Jean
Rules for visitors
Before you travel, consult the “Cultura a porte aperte” appto check the list of places actually available, since some of them may not be visitable for religious functions or restoration maintenance interventions.
How to visit the site using the automated system:
-create your account on the website Cultura a porte aperte by filling in the required information and accepting the privacy policy;
-you will receive an email to activate your account: click on “Activate account”;
-log in to the portal with your credentials and complete your profile;
-verify your mobile phone number by entering the OTP code received via SMS;
-download the Cultura a porte aperte app on your smartphone from the Google Play Store or the App Store:
-log in to the app to book your visits.
If you have any problems, please contact customer support on: +39 011 0898098
Built in 1663 in a panoramic position overlooking Gressoney-Saint-Jean, the Chapel of Saint Joseph – also known as the Ermitage – is one of the most fascinating sacred buildings in the valley.
Commissioned by the parish priest Sebastiano Menabrea, it was later accompanied by a small house for hermits, a presence that gave the site its name. The last hermit lived here until the late 18th century.
Unique among local chapels, it also appears in the frescoes of Vallaise Castle in Arnad, highlighting its historical importance in the landscape of Gressoney.
Of great artistic value, it features refined frescoes, elegant stucco decorations in relief and distinctive reliquary cabinets. The architecture, especially the façade with its Serliana window, influenced other chapels in the valley.
After a long period of neglect, a major restoration begun in 2016 has restored the building to its former splendor, recovering the roof, interiors and wooden furnishings. Since 2025 it has also been accessible thanks to the “Cultura a porte aperte” system.
Surrounded by nature and reachable via a medium-difficulty path, it is an evocative stop for visitors interested in history, art and spirituality.
Note - this information is not directly connected to the Cammino Balteo path but it is part of the Aosta Valley tourist offer.