Aosta/Aoste

<< Aosta Valley

Aosta (Aoste in French) is the capital and largest city of Aosta Valley. The region was originally inhabited by the Salassi and later taken by the Romans, who founded the city as Augusta Praetoria Salassorum. The town became an important stop on the road connecting the Po Valley with Gaul, keeping this role as it was conquered by various different powers in the Early Middle Ages. In 1032, Aosta became part of the domains of the Savoy family, and it shared the history of the rest of the region until the Italian unification. Aosta is now a tourist destination thanks to its position among some of the most popular mountain destinations in the Alps, but also because of its many Roman ruins.

✪ Arch of Augustus

The Arch of Augustus (Arco di Augusto/Arc d’Auguste) is a Roman arch erected in 25 BCE, and it is considered a symbol of Aosta. The monument was built to celebrate the Roman victory over the Salassi, and it is located on the eastern side of the old city.

✪ Roman Theater of Aosta

The Roman Theater of Aosta (Teatro Romano di Aosta/Théâtre Romain d’Aoste) was built during the reign of Augustus and it is located right in the center of the city. Various ruins of the once important theater can be seen now, including a large section of the southern facade. Just north of the theater there was once an amphitheater, but now the only few surviving parts are incorporated into some later buildings. The medieval tower known as Tour Fromage stands just east of the Roman Theater.

Regional Archaeological Museum of Aosta Valley

The Regional Archaeological Museum of Aosta Valley (Museo Archeologico Regionale della Valle d’Aosta/Musée Archéologique Régional de la Vallée d’Aoste) houses numerous archaeological findings from the region, dating from prehistory to the Middle Ages. The collection includes various objects from the Roman period, and it features a model of the ancient Roman city of Augusta Praetoria Salassorum.

Ponte di Pietra/Pont de Pierre

Also known as: Roman Bridge (Ponte Romano/Pont Romain)

The Ponte di Pietra/Pont de Pierre (“Stone Bridge”) is a Roman bridge located just east of the Arch of Augustus and built during the reign of Augustus. The bridge used to cross the Buthier river, which later changed its course. Despite this, the bridge is still used today.

Porta Praetoria

Porta Praetoria is the ancient eastern gate of Aosta, and it is still well preserved. The gate was erected in 25 BCE, while the adjacent towers were reworked during the Middle Ages. Porta Pretoria is the only surviving Roman gate of Aosta, while the other ones have been demolished over the centuries.

Walls of Aosta

Some sections of the ancient Roman Walls of Aosta, can still be seen surrounding the old town. The walls include some medieval towers such as the Torre dei Balivi/Tour du Bailliage, located at the northeastern corner of the walls. The southern section of the walls is interrupted by the Bramafam Castle (Castello di Bramafam/Château de Bramafam), a 13th-century fortification that once served as the residence of local noble families.

Aosta Cathedral

The Aosta Cathedral is the main religious site in the city. The current church was erected in the 11th century in Romanesque style, but it has been heavily reworked with Renaissance and Neoclassical additions. The Cathedral features two Romanesque bell towers and a Neoclassical facade with rich 16th-century decorations. A few more artworks and frescoes are located inside the church. A museum of religious art is also located in the Cathedral. The church stands in the center of the old town and close to the ancient ruins of the Roman Forum and the Roman Cryptoporticus.

Collegiate Church of Saint Ursus

The Collegiate Church of Saint Ursus (Collegiata di Sant’Orso/Collégiale de Saint-Ours) is a Romanesque church originally erected in the 9th century and later reworked several times. The church is flanked by an imposing bell tower, but it is mostly notable for its decorated interiors, which feature numerous medieval frescoes. A cloister housing more Romanesque decorations is located next to the church.