• Culture

    ROMAN TIMES

    five centuries of history

In the first century BC, after defeating the local population, the Romans began to colonize this territory: They connected the Alpine passes with the Via delle Gallie road and founded the city of Augusta Praetoria (Aosta). Thus began the five centuries of Roman domination which left monuments and great engineering works in the Aosta Valley.

NOT TO BE MISSED

ROMAN CRYPTOPORTICUS

The cryptoporticus of Aosta was part of the complex of the Roman Forum and is a fascinating underground gallery supported by powerful arches.

ROMAN THEATRE

The imposing 22-meter-high southern facade dominates the Roman theatre in Aosta (stages 18 and 19), which housed over three thousand spectators.

ARCH OVER THE ROMAN ROAD

In Donnas (stages 3 and 23), the stretch of paved road is dominated by an arch cut into the rock, with carefully built archivolts.

AQUEDUCT-BRIDGE OF PONT D'AEL

The original aqueduct-bridge of Pont d'Ael, along stage 17, is 52 meters high and crosses over the Grand-Eyvia stream with a single arch.

BRIDGE OF PONT-SAINT-MARTIN

One of the best-preserved bridges in the Roman world; it is the largest single-span bridge.

Porta Praetoria

It was the main entrance to the ancient Roman town, Augusta Praetoria, today's Aosta.

Roman monuments along the trail

Roman architecture
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Arch of Augustus

Aosta

Having crossed the bridge over the Buthier River, along the road that used to lead to the monumental Porta Praetoria, the main access road to the Roman city, the honorary arch dedicated to the emperor Augustus was erected. It used to be an eloquent sign …

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Roman architecture
Calidarium

Consolata Roman Villa

Aosta

The Villa is closed - it reopens in the autumn. These are the foundations of an elegant Roman residence outside of the city walls, some of the rooms are still recognisable, with the remains of the mosaic flooring and the traces of a heating system. The …

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Roman architecture
Enlightened arcades

Cryptoporticus

Aosta

Free entry for mothers accompanied by their children on 12 May 2024Site included in the Aosta archeologica cumulative ticketThis monument, which dates back to the Augustan era, is the subject of much debate; its main purpose was to create a structure for …

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Roman architecture
The central mausoleum

Funerary zone out of Porta Decumana

Aosta

This important necropolis from Roman times was found 200 metres west of Porta Decumana, along the road leading to the Alpis Graia (Little Saint Bernard Pass). It is a discovery similar to that of other necropolises near Porta Praetoria and Porta …

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Roman architecture
Porta Praetoria e Torre dei Signori di Quart

Porta Praetoria

Aosta

This monument is situated between via Sant’Anselmo and via Porta Praetoria.Situated on the eastern section of the walls, it provided the main access to the city of Augusta Praetoria, built in 25 B.C. after the defeat of the Salassians by Terenzio Varrone. …

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Roman architecture
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Porta Principalis Dextera

Aosta

The Porta Principalis Dextera was located at the southern curtain of the walls and allowed for access to the countryside and the bridge over the Dora, situated in the hamlet of Clerod in Gressan. It had a single carriageable fornix, without a troop …

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Roman architecture
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Porta Principalis Sinistra

Aosta

From the Porta Principalis Sinistra the itinerary that once led to the Gran San Bernardo Pass commenced (Summus Poeninus). Up until 1843, the remains of this building were still visible in the northern part of Roncas square; Palazzo Rolle, a building …

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Roman architecture
The Roman Bridge

Roman bridge over the Buthier River

Aosta

Coming from the Lower Valley, the first ancient monument in Aosta to welcome visitors is the Roman bridge that sits above the ancient course of the Buthier River. It characterises the eastern quarter of the city, called Pont de Pierre, that is, “bridge …

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Roman architecture
The imposing façade

Roman Theatre

Aosta

The  Roman Theater will close from November 7, 2023 to May 2025The southern facade 22 metres high with its overlapping arches, the lower part of the semi-circle of steps that housed the spectators (cavea) and the foundations of the wall that acted as a …

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Roman architecture
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The boundary wall

Aosta

The boundary wall of Augusta Praetoria formed a rectangle measuring 727m by 574 and was built from an interior layer of river stones and an external layer of blocks of travertine. Sections in which it is still clearly visible: via Hotel des Monnaies, via …

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