Aosta

Augusta Praetoria was founded in 25 BC by Terentius Varro, after his campaign against 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.

History

The area was a centre of the Salassi until 25 BC, when a Roman campaign led by Terentius Varro killed or enslaved many of them and Varro founded the Roman colony. After the fall of the Western Empire the city passed in turn to the Burgundians, the Ostrogoths and the Byzantines, and then to the Lombards, who were driven out by the Franks (Wikipedia, Aosta).

Highlights

• 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.

Things to know

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.

Key facts