Valle d'Aosta is very famous for its castles testifying a wealth particularly rich
history. The castles were built in direct sight from each other, a
signaling system was in place that used flags during the day and torches
during the night. Using this system a message could be delivered from
Bard, at the entrance of the Valle d'Aosta, to Martigny, on the other
side of the Alps, that now is part of France, in just three hours.
Bard Castle
This itinerary can start at Bard where there is an impressive fortress built in 1034
AD, one of the main military buildings in Valle d'Aosta.
It played a very important
role during the French invasions in 1704 and 1800 when Napoleon and his troops were
trapped there for a week.
Camillo Benso was also confined there as a political prisoner
for eight months in 1830, when the fortress was rebuilt by the Piedmontese.
Bard is a typical transit village which developed along the Roman road. Its medieval
layout is unchanged and it still preserves a number of noteworthy 15th and 16th cent.
residences such as: the Challant house, the Bishop’s house, the Valperga house and
the Sundial house. Another beautiful building is the elegant 18th cent. palace which
belonged to the last counts of Bard, the Nicole family.
Leaving Bard on the way to Aosta you can find on your left, after 5 km, the village
of Arnad where you can admire a pleasant Romanesque church restored in 1500. Arnad
is very well known not only for the tasty lard but also for its red wine
"Arnad Montjovet".
Verres Castle
If you follow the state road along the river Dora, you will reach Verres, dominated
by the castle built on a hill top between 1361 and 1390 by Ibleto di Challand on the
ruins of an old fortress.
During Carnival the castle hosts 3 days of events, dancing
evenings, historical representations and plays.
The castle is open to the public all
the year round.
In Verres you can also have a nice walk in the arboretum “Borna di
Laou” where there are different species of trees with panels showing their botanical
names.
Close to Verres, on the left side of the Dora you will reach Issogne, with its medieval
castle built in 1480 by Prior Giorgio di Challant.
Inside ancient pieces of furniture,
the pomegranate wrought-iron fountain, the beautiful chapel and the valuable cycles of
frescoes representing sketches of popular life are preserved.
The castle is open to
the public all the year round.
Fenis Castle
Just before Fenis where you can visit another medieval castle you can stop at Chambave
to taste the famous white wine "Muscat", and at Nus where the "Malvoisie" one
of the best white wines of Valle d'Aosta is produced.
Fenis on the left side of the Dora
is dominated by the medieval castle , built in 1340 by Aimone di Challant.
Restored at
the end of the 19th cent., it is surrounded by crenellated walls and towers, you
can admire the inner courtyard, the semicircular staircase, the chapel and the frescoes
from the 15th century, which are authentic masterpieces of international Gothic art. The
castle is open to the public all the year round.
