5 Notable Architectures to Explore in Aosta

The Sarriod de La Tour castle is a medieval Aosta Valley manor located in the municipality of Saint-Pierre, in the flat area planted with orchards that run along the Dora Baltea and the SS26, on the opposite side of the village from the more famous castle of Saint-Pierre. Looking at it from the top of the Saint-Pierre castle, the Sarriod de La Tour castle appears as an irregular set of buildings surrounded by walls, located in a flat area a little outside the town and close to the Dora Baltea.

The castle of Fénis, located in the homonymous municipality, is one of the most famous medieval manors in the Aosta Valley. Known for its scenographic architecture, with the double crenelated walls that enclose the central building and the numerous towers, the castle is one of the major tourist attractions of the Valley and one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Italy.

The Sundial House is one of the most famous castles in the Valle d'Aosta. It is located in the capital of Issogne, on the hydrographic right of the Dora Baltea, and appears as a Renaissance stately home, creating a sort of contrast with the austere castle of Verrès which is almost opposite the opposite side of the river. Famous are its inner courtyard, with the fountain of the pomegranate and the colorful arcades, a rare example of Alpine painting medieval.

The Porta Pretoria is the eastern gateway to the Roman city of Augusta Prætoria Salassorum. Built-in 25 BC, it is still in an excellent state of conservation and is made up of two series of arches - one major central and two minor lateral ones - which enclose a parade ground. On both arches the walkways of the sentries are visible. It had three openings, which are still visible today: the central one for carriages and the side openings for pedestrians.

The castle of Verrès is one of the most famous medieval Aosta Valley manors. Built as a military fortress by Ibleto di Challant in the fourteenth century, it was one of the first examples of a monobloc castle, consisting of a single building unlike the older manors formed by a series of buildings enclosed by a wall. It stands on a rocky promontory that dominates the town of Verrès and the Val d'Ayas road.