Is Aosta Italy’s Most Underrated Destination? Find Out Why
Today Aosta is a city of about 35,000 inhabitants—as well as Italy’s fourth-highest regional capital—nestled between green forests and white alpine snow at 583 meters above sea level.
It was the course of the Dora Baltea, the region’s main river, that formed the plain in which the municipality lies. A crown of mountains embraces the town as if to carefully guard its beauty and authenticity: the Becca di Nona, Mount Emilius, Punta Chaligne, and Becca di Viou are the peaks that surround it.
History
Those fond of legend claim that it was Cordelo, progenitor of the Salassi, descendant of Saturn, and fellow adventurer of Hercules, who founded ancient Cordelia, from which today’s Aosta would later develop. A grain of truth, in fact, there is: there may have been no such valiant hero, but it was the Celto-Ligurian tribe of the Salassi who challenged the mountains of today’s Aosta Valley by settling an early settlement there, some remains of which date back to the third millennium B.C.
In Roman times, with the Empire’s focus on the territories beyond the Alps, this area became particularly important because the Via delle Gallie, a consular road commissioned by Augustus to connect the Po Valley, passed through here. The town was then called Augusta Praetoria.
The medieval period saw the town change hands repeatedly, thus ending up under the strong political, economic, and cultural influence of the other side of the Alps, so much so that linguistically it also developed an affinity with Franco-Provençal dialects and the French language.
What to See in Aosta
Aosta is often chosen as a base toward the landscape surroundings: indeed, the region is home to the most impressive peaks in the Alps, including Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, and Monte Rosa, inexhaustible sources of exciting excursions.
In both summer and winter, nature lovers find plenty to enjoy: those who take advantage of the good weather to explore all possible trails find state-of-the-art ski circuits in winter. But natural beauty should not distract attention from Aosta itself, with its quaint town center, which has so many historical, artistic, and cultural relics to offer.
The monuments of Roman Aosta
The monuments of Roman Aosta: outside the ancient city walls, for example, one can admire the Arch of Augustus from 25 B.C., consisting of a single archway framed by Corinthian half-columns. Before entering the city, one can take a complete tour of the walls, which are still in excellent condition, punctuated by several towers such as the Leper’s Tower, the Fromage Tower, the Bramafan Tower, and the Pailleron Tower. Not far away stand the Porta Praetoria, part of the old urban circle, and the Archaeological Park of the Roman Theater, with the 13th-century St. Catherine’s Convent and the remains of the amphitheater from the Claudian period. The wall of the amphitheater, with its arches and windows rising 22 meters, is what is most obviously left of the building, but other visible parts are the cavea and some foundations.
Forensic Cryptoporticus
Forensic Cryptoporticus: also worth an in-depth visit is the Forensic Cryptoporticus, a building that bordered the sacred area of the Forum of Augusta Praetoria dedicated to worship, accessible today from the garden that opens onto John XXIII Square; it is a basement building consisting of a double white limestone portico with long corridors of lowered arches.
Collegiate Church of Sant’Orso: that of Sant’Orso is the largest medieval building in the city, with a Romanesque bell tower from 1131, and the Collegiate Church founded between 994 and 1025. A number of fine works of art stand out inside: the 15th-century frescoes, the 17th-century wooden choir, the stained glass windows, and the Romanesque cloister.
Cathedral Square
Cathedral Square: among the most interesting areas of Aosta is the Cathedral Square, which partly occupies the location of the ancient Roman Forum and houses, as the name implies, the city’s cathedral: this still appears in the early Romanesque version of the 11th-12th centuries, with the facade decorated in 1526. The interior, on the other hand, is Gothic in style, with some fine stained-glass windows, a wooden choir from 1469, and the funeral monument of Count Thomas II of Savoy. From the church, one goes directly into the Museum of the Treasury, which preserves some works of art once kept in the cathedral itself, as well as some valuable pieces from other churches in the area.
Chanoux Square
Chanoux Square: the square is overlooked by two important buildings, such as the Town Hall, built in the neoclassical style in the 19th century, the Hôtel des États (18th century), famous for hosting the assembly of the States General and the Conseil des Commis, currently used to host temporary exhibitions and displays, and the historic National Café under the arcade, dating from the mid-19th century.
Saint-Martin-de-Corléans Megalithic Area: just outside the center of Aosta is the megalithic area of Saint-Martin-de-Corléans, an archaeological site where remains belonging to a very wide period between 4000 B.C. (Neolithic) and the High Middle Ages have been found. It is currently the largest indoor archaeological area in Europe.
Surroundings of Aosta
Near Aosta, you can visit numerous medieval villages and castles. Among the many, we particularly mention Sarre with its Savoy Castle and, along the road to Cogne, the Castle of Aymaville. No less fascinating is the castle of Saint-Pierre, used as the Regional Museum of Natural Sciences, located in the center of the village of the same name.
The Aosta Valley is a mountainous region and for this reason, it is a top destination both in terms of winter vacations, thanks to its numerous ski resorts, and during the other seasons of the year, when the valleys and mountains become perfect settings for nature walks.
Events in Aosta
To get up close and personal with local traditions and to experience the hospitality of the people of Aosta, there is nothing better than taking part in one of the many events held there throughout the year.
Among the events not to be missed are the St. Bear Fair at the end of January and the patronal feast of St. Grato, which takes place on September 7 and includes a procession that carries the saint’s relics, kept in a medieval-era reliquary case, through the streets of the center.
In summer, we also point out the Foire d’été, a festival dedicated to quality and traditional Aosta Valley crafts, while in winter the Marché Vert Noël, the charming Christmas market in the Roman Theater area, takes place.
Aosta Climate
The particular location of the city means that Aosta enjoys a special microclimate, with distinct continental characteristics: both summer and winter are early, while the intermediate seasons of autumn and spring prove shorter than in the rest of northern Italy.
Warm weather, therefore, occurs early, as early as May, and severe frosts can frost the landscape in November.
Summers are warm and sunny, caressed by cool mountain breezes and subject to fleeting but frequent thunderstorms, and the average temperature in the hottest month, July, is about 21°C. Winters, on the other hand, are rather cold, with heavy and suggestive snowfall alternating with particularly harsh dry spells. The coldest month, January, has an average temperature of about 1°C.
How to Get to Aosta
There are several ways to reach Aosta. Those traveling by car and arriving from Turin can take the A5 freeway to Valle d’Aosta and drive along it for about 98 km, while those traveling from Milan should take the A4 in the direction of Turin and take the junction at Santhià toward Aosta, which is encountered after about 164 km. For those who prefer the train, the Aosta railway station is located along the Chivasso-Aosta-Pré-Saint-Didier line. The main reference airports are Turin-Caselle (117 km) and Milan Malpensa (178 km).
Where to Eat
For authentic regional cuisine, visit Osteria dell’Oca, known for dishes like carbonade and polenta concia. Trattoria degli Amici offers hearty meals, while La Chaumière provides a refined dining experience.
Where to Stay
Stay at Hotel Milleluci for panoramic views and spa facilities. Boutique enthusiasts will love Maison Bondaz, while families can enjoy the welcoming atmosphere at Hotel Cecchin, located near the city center.
