{"id":769,"date":"2020-07-29T12:31:39","date_gmt":"2020-07-29T12:31:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zainoo.com\/blog\/en\/?p=769"},"modified":"2020-07-29T12:31:39","modified_gmt":"2020-07-29T12:31:39","slug":"aosta-a-look-at-the-alpine-city-of-arts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zainoo.com\/blog\/en\/2020\/07\/29\/aosta-a-look-at-the-alpine-city-of-arts\/","title":{"rendered":"Aosta \u2013 a look at the alpine city of arts"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Aosta Valley is located in the outermost northwest of Italy, bordering on France and Switzerland. The small region is known for its natural beauty and tourism, the numerous regional and national parks, and the prestigious, mostly cross-border ski regions. In addition, Aosta Valley\u2019s municipalities\u2019 names are French \u2013 a pointer to the more than 900-year-long affiliation with the dominion of the House of Savoy. However, only few outside the regional borders know the names of the individual villages. The capital Aosta \u2013 the only place in Aosta Valley with an additional Italian name \u2013 actually is a genuine city of arts with its highly fascinating history and enthralling sights. Time to take a closer look at this somewhat hidden and wrongly overlooked gem in the north of Italy.<\/p>\n

How Aosta became Aosta<\/strong><\/p>\n

The site of today\u2019s capital of Aosta Valley used to accommodate prehistoric settlements some 5,000 to 6,000 years ago. The native Salassi managed to fight off Roman invaders for a long time thanks to the natural alpine barrier. Eventually, A. Terentius Varro Murena conquered Aosta Valley in 25 BC. Most of the Salassi were sold as slaves. Augustus had the city Augusta Pr\u00e6toria founded on the site of an existing camp of the Roman legion.<\/p>\n

You can still see the original Roman chequerboard pattern in the old town of Aosta. 64 residential blocks (insulae) formed Augusta Pr\u00e6toria, surrounded by a massive city wall with one gate each on all four sides. Larger structures were built on pre-defined \u201cchequerboard squares\u201d. The Franks and the Lombards fought over the territory after the fall of the Roman Empire, Charlemagne later had the Via Francigena to Rome built through the city. Humbert I, Count of Savoy purchased the region in 1025; it remained part of the Savoy dominion until 1946, even after its incorporation into the Italian Kingdom in 1861. Fascist reign forced Italianisation on Aosta Valley making it one of the leading centres of resistance during World War II. The region received special autonomous status in order to counteract self-governing efforts as well as annexation plans by France. To this day nearly 80% of the population speak French. Nearly 70% speak the traditional Franco-Proven\u00e7al dialect.<\/p>\n

Prehistoric Aosta<\/strong><\/p>\n

We suggest working your way through the many facets of Aosta chronologically, which is why we are kicking things off in prehistoric times. Saint Martin de Corl\u00e9ans on the western outskirts is one of Italy\u2019s largest megalithic areas. It was discovered in June 1969 and excavated in 22 different layers with a depth of up to six metres and carefully analysed. Experience the evolution of this site from the end of the Neolithic Age to the Copper Age and Iron Age and, eventually, the Iron Age on a total area of approx. six hectares. Experts believe that the oldest phase of human activity began around 4200 BC. Ploughed crenation suggests ritual acts. The actual construction of the megalithic area likely started somewhere between 3000 and 2750 BC. 22 in-row timber piles \u2013 believed to be totems by experts \u2013 were installed, more than 40 anthropomorphic steles would follow. They are presumably festive monuments honouring heroes and gods. Saint Martin de Corl\u00e9ans is also a necropolis. The sepultural period lasted into the Bronze Age with various types of tombs and rites having been identified. Some finds suggest that the necropolis was even used until the Roman conquest. A humongous museum complex across two buildings grants you fascinating insights into the excavation site. Here you learn more about the various archaeological stages and the evolution of Aosta, then as now.<\/p>\n

Roman ruins in Aosta<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u00a9Bigstock.com\/Bizi88<\/p><\/div>\n

As previously mentioned, you can still see the Roman layout of Aosta when strolling through its old town. Some buildings and structures from ancient times actually survived, at least partially. The Roman city walls of Aosta are certainly something special. Medieval rulers continued to use them, which is probably why they still are almost entirely intact. The walls enclose a rectangular area of 724 x 572 metres and, for the most part, exceed heights of six metres. Furthermore, the eastern and southern gates survived as well. The main gate Porta Pr\u00e6toria, built in the 1st<\/sup> century AD, was later covered with marble while otherwise mostly retaining its original form. The Arch of Augustus in front of the gate and the Roman bridge Pont de Pierre that originally crossed a river also date back to this period.<\/p>\n

However, not all buildings are quite as well-preserved. While some of the city wall towers are still Roman at their core, many experienced comprehensive alternations. Picking a fairly prominent example, the Tower of Bramafam was built on the ruins of a Roman bastion in the 11th<\/sup> century and served as the residence of the viscount of the House of Savoy. In other Roman news, only the south wall of the monumental, four-storey theatre survived, and the forum is mostly gone as well. Do not miss out on a trip to the Roman estate on the hill above Aosta, though!<\/p>\n

Other sights in Aosta<\/strong><\/p>\n

But that is certainly not all that Aosta, the city of arts, has in store for you. It goes without saying that the centuries after the end of the Roman rule left their marks on the capital of Aosta Valley as well. As such, we warmly recommend the following highlights:<\/p>\n