Aosta

Augustus founded Augusta Praetoria in 25 BC after defeating the Salassi, on a rectangular grid at the junction of the roads to the two great St Bernard passes, and the plan survives: the walls still enclose the centre with towers at intervals, the Porta Praetoria stands as a triple gate with its inner and outer arches, and the theatre's facade rises over twenty metres. The Arch of Augustus stands at the eastern approach. The cathedral and Sant'Orso hold Ottonian frescoes above their vaults and a carved Romanesque cloister. The town is bilingual, Italian and French, and the valley keeps a Franco-Provençal dialect.

What you actually see

• The Porta Praetoria - a triple Roman gate still spanning the street.
• The theatre facade - a wall over twenty metres high near the walls.
• The Arch of Augustus - the triumphal arch at the eastern entrance.
• The Sant'Orso cloister - carved Romanesque capitals beside the church.

When to go

May to October; the Sant'Orso craft fair fills the streets on 30 and 31 January, in deep winter. Summer is mild at altitude. Sites keep midday closures.

Honest expectations

The Roman remains are scattered through a modern town rather than concentrated. Several sites keep separate tickets and hours. The theatre interior is partly excavated.

Nearby

Fenis castle lies east; the Great St Bernard road runs north.