The Most Beautiful Castles to Discover in Aosta Valley

Land of nature but also rich history: here are the castles to see in Aosta Valley

Aosta Valley boasts numerous important castles, and the birth of these wonderful fortresses in this region has ancient origins.

In the Middle Ages, these lands were a crucial passage to the alpine passes, and it was easy for travelers to appropriate land outside populated centers.

Thus, towers, fortresses, and castles were built to defend the territory, followed by residential castles.

Today, there are over 100 castles, forts, and towers. Let's take a look at some of them.

Savoie Castle is located at the foot of Colle della Ronzola with a beautiful view over the entire valley.

This fortress is relatively "recent," as construction began in 1899 and was completed in 1904 at the behest of Queen Margherita of Savoy, who made it her summer residence.

Designed by architect Emilio Stramucci, the castle has a rectangular shape with five rounded towers, each different from the others, giving it a fairy-tale appearance likened to Disney castles.

Its interiors house true wonders where architecture and medieval art blend with Art Nouveau.

The impressive wooden staircase leads to the "noble floor," where the royal apartments are located; the second floor, which housed the rooms reserved for the courtiers, is not open to visitors. The staircase is surrounded by large decorated windows.

Wood predominates; carved friezes, authentic furnishings, ceilings, tapestries, and paintings adorn the space. Outside, there is a beautiful botanical garden. Since 1981, after several changes in ownership, the castle has been owned by the region.

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Issogne Castle rises in the municipality of the same name, in the province of Aosta, in a flat area, for residential purposes.

Initially, it was not a castle but a collection of pre-existing buildings from the 12th century, modified over time until Prior Giorgio di Clannt transformed it into a majestic horseshoe-shaped palace overlooking a spacious courtyard with an Italian garden, to host his cousin Margherita de la Chambre.

The complex then became an elegant castle with modest external shapes but richly decorated interiors in Gothic and Renaissance styles.

Of particular interest is the porch of the inner courtyard, adorned with frescoes that depict village life. Emblems of the family adorn the walls of the buildings, keeping the memory of the past alive.

The castle is on three floors: on the ground floor, there is the kitchen with a majestic fireplace with friezes, the dining room, and the baronial hall, all beams of the ceiling and walls are painted with landscapes, hunting scenes, and the Judgment of Paris.

On the first floor, there is a chapel decorated with wall frescoes and a beautiful altar in Gothic art. There is also the Countess's room and the oratory.

On the second floor is the beautiful chambre de San Mauris, named for the Mauritian crosses that decorate the entire ceiling, once the room of Giorgio Challant, and it is decorated with wonderful frescoes that feature the figure of the prior.

There are also the Green Room and the King of France Room, among others, and the Tower Room that overlooks the entire valley.

This castle is characterized by graffiti left by guests found on all internal walls. In 1907, the castle was donated to the state, and today it is owned by the Aosta Valley region.

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At the gates of Aosta, in the Lalex area of the municipality of Sarre, lies one of the oldest and most well-known castles in Aosta Valley.

Its origins date back to the 11th or 12th century: it is the Royal Castle. After various transformations and owners, in 1869 the castle was purchased by Vittorio Emanuele II of Savoy, who made it his preferred summer residence after renovating and furnishing it with furniture from the Royal House from the residences in Milan, Turin, and Venice, thus assuming its current appearance.

The castle remained in the hands of the Savoy family for a long time and was the favorite residence of Umberto I for his hunting expeditions. Inside, it houses many works of art and an archive of documents from the House of Savoy, which are now displayed on the ground floor, which has become a museum.

Of the three floors that make up the castle, the famous Hall of Trophies was built by Umberto I in the late 19th century, a triumph of colors, with walls lined with damask and silk and decorations of skulls, ibex and chamois horns, with a large fireplace in the center.

The royal apartments are exquisitely furnished with magnificent paintings of the dynasty, including a large painting depicting the wedding of Umberto II and Maria Josè of Belgium.

Adjacent to the palace is a small chapel dedicated to Saint Barbara containing precious paintings. The beautiful garden offers a spectacular view of the mountains. The castle has been owned by the region since 1989.

Introd Castle stands on a promontory between the gorges of the Savara stream and the Dora di Rhemes and dates back to the 12th century.

When it was built, it had a square layout, but its current characteristic is the circular shape it assumed in the 15th century when it became the property of Pierre Sarriod d'Introd, who expanded it. Unfortunately, the castle was the scene of two fires in the second half of the 19th century and was renovated only in the following century by the new owner, Cavalier Gonnella.

Another feature of this castle is the continuous references to other fortresses: within the walls, there is a courtyard with frescoed walls that recall those of Fénis Castle, like the staircase in front of the entrance. Inside, there is a hall that pays homage to the Hall of Trophies of Sarre Castle and many other references to other castles such as Savoie Castle and Issogne Castle.

On the walls of the Tower built in the 1400s, you can still see graffiti from the 16th century. The castle's granary, a medieval wooden building where provisions were stored, is of historical interest.

Outside the castle, there is a small chapel dedicated to the Holy Shroud and a unique structure made up of two bodies: the Ola, a building supported by a colonnade with a pavilion roof, and another older arched door; both served as stables.

This castle is private and belongs to the family of Count Caracciolo di Brienza, but usage is granted to the municipality through a foundation.

The castle is located in the municipality of Aymavilles, surrounded by the green vineyards of Aosta Valley and dates back to the 12th century.

Over the centuries, the manor has undergone various transformations, the most important being that made by Amédée de Challant, who in the 1400s enriched it with the four towers that gave it its current tower-like shape, making it famous.

The towers were connected by new facades, adorned with stuccos from the Lugano artist Stefano De Giorgi. From medieval fortress to noble residence, Aymavilles Castle has seen a long succession of interventions that have modified its architectural structure over time. The overlapping of styles is a point of interest and uniqueness in a setting that has seen Gothic, Baroque, and Rococo styles blend. The castle, now perfectly restored, is owned by the region and has become a wonderful museum.

The fortress consists of four floors, all open to the public. On the ground floor of the large museum, the history of the families who owned the manor through the centuries is told, with rooms displaying the stories of various dynasties.

The first floor is dedicated to 19th-century collecting, from Vittorio Cacherano della Rocca Challant to the collection of the Academy of Saint Anselm (a historical Aosta association). The third floor contains the rooms of Madame Giovane and the collection of the Academy of Saint Anselm, along with exhibits of ancient everyday life artifacts from the 19th century in the castle. The fourth floor is dedicated to the numerous transformations of the castle, featuring models and multimedia reconstructions.

The castle is surrounded by a beautiful terraced park, which was created after the demolition of the ancient city walls.