Location Guide for Aosta

  Your Tourist Guide for Aosta - Adrian Petersen

My Aosta…

"Aosta, the Rome of the Alps, lies some 100km north-northwest of Turin and is the principal town of the Valle d'Aosta. Surrounded by mountains, you will find Grand Combin and Mont Vélan to the north, Becca di Nona and Monte Emilius to the south and Testa del Ruitor to the west. Aosta's Roman past is clearly visible such as the parts of the city walls covered by travertine blocks, the Arch of Augustus, the Pretorian Gate and the Roman Theatre.

The Valle d'Aosta region is ruled by a special statute which recognises both the Italian and French languages, so street signs are bilingual and many place names and local family names are of French origin. In the historic centre the characteristic side streets known as "ruelle" conceal many hidden courtyards and corners where today boutiques, book stores, cafés, design shops and restaurants add to the atmosphere."

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  Local Events

Aosta's Attractions

Top Ten Things to See and Do

1. View the triumphal Arco di Augusto, the symbol of Aosta, built in 35 BC.
2. Marvel at the 4000 seat Teatro Romano begun in the first century AD.
3. See the La Cattedrale di Aosta with its ivory carvings dating from A.D. 40.
4. Walk through the Porta Praetoria, a double gate with three arches flanked by two towers.
5. Nearby is the Torre dei Signori di Quart, a twelfth century tower house.
6. See the Romanesque-Gothic Collegiata dei Santi Pietro e Orso founded in the late tenth century.
7. Check out the Roman Amphitheatre which once accommodated 20,000 spectators.
8. Stroll along the Via Sant'Anselmo, Aosta's main pedestrian street.
9. Tour the towers: Tour du Baillage, Tour du Lépreux, Tour du Pailleron, Tour Fromage and Tour Neuve.
10. Walk across the perfectly preserved Roman bridge to the east of the city

January:

Sant'Orso Fair"- A colourful celebration of the town's beloved saint, where artists and craftsmen from the Aosta Valley exhibit their work, bringing thousands of visitors to Aosta from nearby France and Switzerland as well as various regions of Italy and many others parts of Europe.

Carnaval des Montagnes - a parade particularly enjoyed by the locals who wear beautiful masks during the event.

August:
Foire d'Eté (Summer Fete)
Offers visitors the opportunity to view and purchase local crafts.

September:
Festival degli Artisti di Strada
International Festival of Street Artists)

October (next-to-last Sunday of the month):
Bataille de Reines (Battle of the Queens) is one of the most important events in Valle d'Aosta where cows "compete" for the position of matriarch of the herd.

  Food and Drink

Typical local dishes include Zuppa Valdostana (Cabbage and Cheese Soup), Costoletta alla Valdostana (Veal Chop with Fontina) and Capriolo alla Valdostana (Venison stewed in red wine with vegetables, herbs, grappa and cream)

Vines have been cultivated in the Aosta Valley since Roman times and possibly before. Today the region is home to some of Italy's newest DOC appellations, Blanc de Morgex, Donnas, Enfer d'Arvier, Nus Rouge, Nus Malvoisie and Torrette.

   Adrian's Spotlight on the "Teatro Romano"

Begun in the first century AD, the Teatro Romano in Aosta shows that even this far from Rome, culture was never far away from daily life. Today, the 22m high southern facade still stands, together with a semi-circular tiered area, 'the cavea' that hosted the guests and the foundation of the wall that acted as the backdrop, the 'scaena'. Some believe that there was a permanent roof. It was certainly extended in the early years to accommodate some four thousand spectators. A truly remarkable insight into what was the theatre of Augusta Praetoria.

  How to Get There

By Plane:
The most convenient airports to Aosta are Milan and Turin. The Milan airport of Milano-Malpensa is about two hours, whilst the Aeroporto di Torino (Turin) is about 75 minutes. Both are well served by major airlines and budget ones such as Easyjet and Ryanair.

By Bus:
From Chamonix (France), 2 hours, twice a day
From Milan, 2½ hours, five a day
From Turin 2 hours, up to 4  daily

By Car:
From: Chamonix (France), about 60 km: N205, through Mont Blanc Tunnel, Autostrada A5 Torino, exit Aosta-Ovest.
From Milan, about 165 km: Autostrada A4 Milan - Turin, exit Santhia, take A5 for Aosta, exit Aosta-Est.
From Turin, about 120 km : Autostrada A5 Torino-Aosta, exit Aosta-Est.

By Train:
From Milan Centrale via Chivasso 4 hours, more than 10 daily
From Turin, 2 to 2½ hours, more than 10 daily

Written by Adrian Petersen