Heritage: Aosta

Site included in the Aosta archeologica cumulative ticket

Under the village’s old parish church, archaeological diggings brought to light the early Christian cruciform basilica, indicated as Concilium Sanctorum , the Assembly of Saints because it was built on the tombs of some of the early martyrs who were buried in the Roman cemetery area which in itself was built on a protohistoric funeral settlement.
Inside you can see parts of the liturgical structures, the relic platform with the tombs of three bishops who lived between the V and VI centuries (Grato, Agnello, Gallo) and other tomb chambers dating from between the V and VIII centuries.

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One of the most interesting prehistoric archaeological sites in Europe but also a place where history has continued to leave evidence even in subsequent centuries. Come to Aosta and take advantage of the museum's initiatives and guided tours and discover all the technological innovations of the recent museum setup.

The archaeological site

The area, brought to light in 1969, measures approximately one hectare, and is one of the most interesting archaeological sites in Europe, offering a fascinating overview of significant moments stretching across almost 5000 years of history, from the late Stone Age up to the present.

The term megalithic area has been used as a summary description of the finds in Aosta, which has currently no equal, and can only be compared - albeit partially - with the site at Sion, Petit-Chasseur, in Switzerland.

“Megalithic area” refers to a portion of land of a certain, clearly defined size, featuring a variety of different megalithic monuments.
This site is more than just a simple line-up of menhirs or standing stones featuring human figures, or a burial ground, or a series of individual dolmen tombs: these finds demonstrate the existence of a sacred area destined from its origins to hosting recurring activities linked to worship and burial.

Five structural phases have been identified, from the Recent Neolithic (end of the 5th millennium B.C.) through the Copper Age (4th - 3rd millennium B.C.) to the Bronze Age (2nd millennium B.C.).

Initially conceived as an open-air sanctuary destined for the cult of the living, it was not until the latter centuries of the 3rd millennium that it became an important burial ground, with monumental tombs of a variety of megalithic types.

In chronological order, visitors can observe: traces of a propitiatory furrow ritually sown (end of the 5th millennium B.C.), followed by the creation of a line of wells, at the bottom of which are ritual offerings such a millstones, along with the remains of fruit and cereals.

From a later point in time (beginning of the 3rd millennium B.C.) was a line of at least 24 wooden totem poles facing from North East to South West, later replaced by 46 huge anthropomorphic steles, the first authentic manifestation of in this area of megalithism, magnificent masterworks of prehistoric statue construction.

The area took on a clear burial function with the construction of the first megalithic tombs, which were probably occupied by distinguished families from the community and were built entirely above ground. A particularly significant example is the so-called “Tomb 2”, erected on a distinctive triangular platform of stones, used for almost a thousand years as a collective tomb and containing the remains of 39 individuals.

The museum

Visiting the museum implies a trip back from the present day into the prehistorical age: along a route dotted with images referring to human history, the walkways that set out from the entrance to the museum take visitors down to the level of the actual archaeological site (about 6 metres below road level).

The view here is striking as visitors explore the dimensions of time, the tones of the light colour the environment that envelops the archaeological finds: the dolmen, the standing stones brought down, the platform, the traces of the grooves ploughed…

The visitor route constantly looks out onto the archaeological site, in a sort of on-going dialogue between the indoors (the museum) and the outdoors (the site). Explanations, further details and interpretations can be found on the learning and multimedia supports.

Not to be missed:

• the suggestive ramp of time enriched by three-dimensional elements
• the astonishing Immersive room
• the large hall of steles where you can admire 46 anthropomorphic stelae found on the site
• The section dedicated to Protohistory which illustrates the great changes that occurred in the area at the beginning of the 2nd millennium BC, when the agricultural function took over the funerary one: numerous human footprints can be observed imprinted in the plowed land found on the occasion of the most recent archaeological excavations. Furthermore, in this space you can appreciate the large funerary mound from the Iron Age (1st millennium BC) with its original walking surface
• on the upper floor the protagonist is the Roman era divided into two sections: one dedicated to daily life in a rustic environment, and the other to the necropolises excavated over the years along the road, below the parish church and the nursery school; here there are 20 tombs characterized by very rich grave goods, as well as very different funerary practices and rituals in terms of chronology and typology
•  the medieval section concludes the visit itinerary by presenting evidence relating to the small Romanesque church of Saint Martin.

There is also an area dedicated to temporary exhibitions and a conference room.

Several important cultural, scientific and political figures from Valle d’Aosta who died between the first half of the Nineteenth century and the early decades of the XX century are buried in the old cemetery in the village of Sant’Orso.
There is a neogothic chapel there that was built towards the middle of the XIX century by the Counts of Castigliole who had their family tomb there.

A building, rich in architectural elements, located in via Porta Praetoria 42-52, built at the beginning of the XVIII century by François René of Nus (in fact it was called “Palace of the Nus barons”). During the building of the Hôtel de Ville (1836 - 1842) it was the location of the administrative offices of Aosta.

Private - only the hall may be visited.

Located in Via des Sales, 3, the bishop’s palace, renovated at the end of the nineteenth century, is connected to the Santa Maria Assunta cathedral by a gallery, whose building began in 1667 and finished about one century later.
Public Audiences, the periodical court held by the Dukes of Savoy, were held in the parlour called the “di Cognia” room between 1222 and 1466.
Another room houses frescoed medallions with the portraits of the bishops of Aosta.

In the hamlet of Porossan, in Chiou stands a magnificent aqueduct-bridge across the “ru Prévôt” canal. It is a magnificent construction in partially plastered stone and lime, stretching approximately 70 metres in length, that allows the canal to flow through the valley below, where the river Parléaz runs, between the villages of Neyves and Serod (Porossan) in Aosta. The bridge gives off a feeling of grandness due both to its stone roof and because of some windows that light up inside making the inside visible.

The “rus” are canals that carry water to the driest parts of the region.
This vast network of canals, the most complete and well organised in the Alpine range, dates back to Medieval times, from the beginning of the XIII century to the end of the XV century, when the warm, dry climate and poor rainfall made it essential to set up new irrigation structures. The rus pass through forests, meadows and hills and head down towards the main valley, sending water drawn from the upper flow of rivers towards the inhabited areas and making the mountainous ridges fertile.

The Ru Prévôt takes its name from the Cathedral provost, Enrico di Quart who had it built in 1288 and includes the 70 metre long Porossan aqueduct on its trail, described by the abbé Henry, historian, writer and mountaineer, as “one of the most beautiful monuments preserved from Medieval times”.

It is the western addition (towards the left, looking at the facade) of the Municipality of Aosta.The structure was built in 1724 (therefore prior to the Municipality); inside this building meetings of the State General Assembly were held, presided by the Bishop and by the Knight Commander. The “Conseil des Commis” would also meet and the archives of the Duchy of Aosta were held inside.

Currently the building holds a few municipal offices and some temporary exhibitions.

The site is not accessible to people with disabilities.

Located on the square with the same name, the palace was commissioned in 1606 by Pierre-Léonard Roncas, first secretary of state of the Duke of Savoy,Charles Emanuel I. It later became the seat of the Savoy administration, a sub-prefecture during the Napoleon era and, lastly, an intendance office.
The vaults in the atrium, over the staircase and room that overlook the internal courtyard, are decorated with Italian school frescoes depicting mythological scenes and nature and with zodiac signs, in manneristic style.

The palace it’s not visitable.

According to tradition, this building, located in via Sant’Anselmo 66, saw the birth of Anselmo d’Aosta (1033-1109), who became abbot of the Bec monastery in Normandy and then archbishop of Canterbury in England. Anselmo d’Aosta is famous for being a theologian and philosopher; his name is particularly tied to the “ontological” proof of the existence of God.

Private property - Not visitable.

The large Neo-Classic porticoed building was erected in 1839 on the site of the Cordeliers Franciscan monastery, seriously damaged by French revolutionary troops.
The two fountains on the facade symbolise the city’s two waterways, the Dora Baltea and the Buthier.
The square in the front, now dedicated to Emile Chanoux, martyr of the Resistance, was created by demolishing the church of St. Francis, connected to the monastery.
The staircase and atrium which houses a valuable model of the Valle d’Aosta, can be visited during town office opening hours.