Aosta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Aosta
Aoste (French)
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| Città di Aosta Ville d'Aoste |
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Aerial view of Aosta
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| Country | Italy | ||
| Region | Aosta Valley | ||
| Frazioni | Arpuilles, Beauregard, Bibian, Bioulaz, Borgnalle, Brenloz, Busséyaz, Cache, La Combe, Les Capucins, Chabloz, Champailler, Collignon, Cossan, Cotreau, Duvet, Entrebin, Excenex, Les Fourches, Laravoire, Montfleury, Movisod, Pallin, Papet, Pléod, Porossan, La Riondaz, La Rochère, Roppoz, Saraillon, Saumont, Seyssinod, Signayes, Talapé, Tsanté, Tzambarlet, Vignole | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 21.37 km2 (8.25 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 583 m (1,913 ft) | ||
| Population
(31 December 2022)
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| • Total | 33,093 | ||
| • Density | 1,548.6/km2 (4,010.8/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | ||
| Postal code |
11100
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| Dialing code | 0165 | ||
| Patron saint | St. Gratus | ||
| Saint day | September 7 | ||
Aosta is a cool city in the Aosta Valley region of Italy. It's nestled in the Italian Alps, about 110 kilometers (68 miles) northwest of Turin. Aosta is special because it's a bilingual region, meaning people speak both Italian and French.
The city is located where two rivers, the Buthier and the Dora Baltea, meet. It's also an important spot because it's near the entrance of the Mont Blanc Tunnel and at the crossroads of routes leading to the Great St Bernard Pass and the Little St Bernard Pass.
Discover Aosta: A City of History and Mountains
A Journey Through Aosta's Past
Aosta has a very long history! People lived here even before ancient times. It was once home to the Salassi people.
Ancient Roman Foundations
In 25 BC, the Romans took over the area. A Roman general named Terentius Varro founded a new Roman colony here. It was called Augusta Praetoria Salassorum. This new city was a home for 3,000 retired Roman soldiers.
Aosta became the capital of a Roman province called Alpes Graies. Its location, where two rivers met and at the end of important mountain passes, made it very important for the Roman army. The city was even built like a Roman military camp.
Medieval Times and Beyond
After the Roman Empire ended, Aosta was ruled by different groups. These included the Burgundians, Ostrogoths, and Byzantines. Later, the Lombards took control, but then the Franks, led by Pepin the Short, took over.
Under Charlemagne, Aosta became an important stop on the Via Francigena. This was a famous road that went from Aachen to Italy. In the 10th century, Aosta became part of the Kingdom of Burgundy. Later, it joined the lands of Count Humbert I of Savoy.
In 1189, the people of Aosta were given the right to hold their own assembly. This group helped govern the city for many centuries.
Aosta's Weather: What to Expect
Aosta is in a special spot in the mountains, which affects its weather. It has cool to very cold winters. The summers are usually hot. The city also experiences relatively dry conditions throughout the year.
Exploring Aosta: Main Attractions
Aosta is full of amazing historical sites, especially from its Roman past.
Ancient Roman Wonders
The old city walls of Augusta Prætoria Salassorum are still mostly standing today. They are about 6.4 meters (21 feet) high and very thick. There were once 20 towers along the walls, and many are still well-preserved.
- The Tour du Lépreux (Leper's Tower) got its name from a leper who was jailed there.
- Tourneuve is a tower from the 13th century.
- The Tower (Castle) of Bramafan was built in the 11th century. It was once home to the Savoy viscounts. Its name means "To scream for hunger" in the local language.
The city also has two intact ancient gates. The Porta Praetoria was the eastern gate. It has two sets of arches and two towers.
The streets of Aosta were laid out in a rectangular pattern, just like a Roman city. This shows how important it was to guard the main road.
You can still see parts of the Roman theatre. Its southern wall is 22 meters (72 feet) tall! This theater could hold up to 4,000 people. Nearby, there was also an amphitheater, a marketplace, and public baths.
Outside the city walls, you'll find the Arch of Augustus. This grand arch was built in 35 BC to celebrate a Roman victory. About 8 kilometers (5 miles) west, there's a Roman bridge called the Pont d'Aël. It has a covered walkway for people to use in winter.
Other Interesting Places
- The Cathedral was first built in the 4th century. It was rebuilt in the 11th century and is dedicated to the Madonna.
- The Collegiate church of Saint Ursus (Saint-Ours) is a beautiful church with Romanesque and Gothic styles. Its cloister, a covered walkway around a courtyard, is very special.
- The Saint-Bénin College was built around the year 1000. Today, it's a place for exhibitions.
- The Bridge of Grand Arvou is a medieval bridge that also worked as an aqueduct, carrying water.
Getting Around Aosta
Aosta is a key point for travel across the Alps. Two main roads meet here. One connects the city to the Little St Bernard Pass (Italy-France border). The other connects it to the Great St Bernard Pass (Italy-Switzerland border). A major highway, the A5, also connects Aosta to Turin and Courmayeur.
The Aosta railway station opened in 1886. You can take direct trains from Aosta to the city of Ivrea. There's also a main bus station near the train station. Buses can take you to nearby valleys and other cities like Turin, Milan, Chamonix (France), and Martigny (Switzerland).
Aosta also has its own airport, located about 5 kilometers (3 miles) east of the city.
Famous People from Aosta
Many interesting people have come from Aosta:
- Anselm of Aosta (1033–1109) became a very important leader in England, the Archbishop of Canterbury.
- Xavier de Maistre (1763–1852) was a writer who wrote a famous novel called Le lépreux de la cité d'Aoste (The leper from Aosta).
- Innocenzo Manzetti (1826–1877) was an Italian inventor.
- René-Laurent Vuillermoz (born 1977) is a retired Olympic biathlete.
- Nicole Gontier (born 1991) is an Italian biathlete.
See Also
In Spanish: Aosta para niños
- Duke of Aosta
- Franco-Provençal language - Valdôtain dialect.
- Aostan French
- Category:Towers in Italy
- Category:Tribes involved in the Gallic Wars
Aosta's Sister Cities
Aosta is twinned with several cities around the world. This means they have special friendly relationships.
