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From Fenis Castle to the Castle of Gressoney, the Aostan Valley is a set design of turrets and towers suspended between sky and earth. In the enchanting Dora Baltea valley, the Bard Fort was a significant player in the region's history. Amongst a range of historical events it bore witness to the French advance and bourgeoisie insurrections of the 18th century.
Fenis Castle on the other hand presents an entirely different atmosphere. Set on a hill and surrounded by the rustle of the forest and gurgle of streams, it seems more a castle ala Walt Disney. Even if the castle's exterior presents all the design and detail of a defensive fortress, Fenis was never the centre of battle.
A short distance from the town of Verres, Issogne Castle is a surprising work of art amidst the surrounding valleys, starting with its courtyard and the wrought iron pomegranate tree in the centre of its fountain. Issogne Castle is finely decorated inside and out, including a valuable medieval fresco that depicts daily life and trade of the era.
And like an elegant windowsill on Mount Rosa, the Savoia-Gressoney Castle exerts an irresistible charm for its five gothic steeple towers and wood-inlay interiors. Many more castles have stamped their personality on the region of Aosta Valley. Her valleys are enriched by their spires and crenulated towers. Each, like noble heroes, with its own story to tell.
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