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cally organized around the inner courtyard, which evokes a
charming and fairy-tale like atmosphere. Don't forget to take a
look at the fantastic frescoes inside the chapel.
This trip amongst the castles of
Aosta Valley had to include a tour
of the marvellous Forte di Bard,
an impressive fortress that dates
back as early as the year 1000,
and that was used as a military
structure up until 1830. This fort
of the House of Savoy was only
reopened after lengthy renovations. Today it is the new cultural
centre of the Western Alps along
with the homonymous village,
and is home to the Museo delle
Alpi and many interesting tem-
porary exhibits.
The Royal Sarre castle dominates
the entrance to the Valley. It's located in Lalex on a hillock in the Aosta basin. Built in 1710 on the ruins
of an even older settlement (12th
century), after various owners, the
building became the summer residence of the House of Savoy. It
is currently the museum for the
presence of the House of Savoy in
the Aosta Valley. Make sure to visit
the Royal Flat, with the Gran Sala
del Gioco games room, the Galleria dei Trofei Venatori hunting
trophies room and the rooms on
the second floor, which related to
the history of the Savoy dynasty in
the 20th century.
st
Another leg: The Aymavilles castle, which was erected around
the 12th century on a low hill descending towards the Dora River.
It was rebuilt between the 14th
and 15th centuries and equipped with 4 powerful cylindrical
corner towers. In the early 1800's,
the old defensive structures were
knocked down and the manor
was transformed into an elegant
residence, as it was given that
unique appearance that anticipated the rococò style in the Valley.
# 85 November 21 2016
Complete this circuit by visiting
the Sarriod de la Tour castle in
the flat area home to orchards,
in the town of Saint-Pierre. It's
protected by an extensive wall
in a charming position high
above the Dora River.
This manor's architecture is
complex and it comprises several buildings dating back to different eras. Don't miss the marvellous spiral staircase in the
tower (viret), 13th-century frescoes in the chapel and the Sala
delle Teste, the official room for
receiving guests whose ceiling
is upheld by 171 corbels carved
in grotesque shapes.
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