サレの洞窟・トップ20

Seen only from the outside, very very beautiful!

Now the castle is no longer owned by the Caracciolo family but has been purchased by the Autonomous Region of Aosta valley.

Quart Castle is currently (January 2025) undergoing conservation work. The work should be completed by summer 2025.

The origins of Introd Castle date back to the 12th century. It was built according to a simple structure with a square central keep surrounded by a fence. Pierre Sarriod d'Introd had it enlarged in 1260, followed by subsequent modifications in the 15th century that rounded off the castle. Two fires, the first in the second half of the 19th century and the second in the early 20th century, made restoration work necessary. In the latter case, they were completed by architect Jean Chevalley and commissioned by the then owner, Knight Gonnella. Opposite the castle is a Renaissance-style attic. It is made entirely of wood and has two splendid wrought iron gates. Nearby is the stable called Ôla. Today, the Introd Castle is owned by the Counts Caracciolo of Brienza and is managed by the Grand-Paradis Foundation 1 . The living room is decorated with frescoes. Near the ceiling are scenes each representing a different tree, above which is trompe l'oeil wallpaper.

Travelling along the Via Francigena from Aosta to Nus, just before Quart you come across this Castle built on a hill, an enchanting and solitary place.

Located in the hamlet of Écours in the municipality of La Salle

The Torre dei Balivi, also known as Tour du bailliage, is one of Aosta's medieval architectural treasures. The tower, also known as Tour Cornière in French, was mentioned as early as 1192. In the 12th century it became the property of the local noble family De Palais (or De Palacio), who used it for their own purposes. Later, in the 13th century, it was transferred to the Count of Savoy and served as the seat of the bailiff (in old French, Bailly). The tower was expanded and remodeled in the 15th and 16th centuries, with new parts added to meet growing needs. In the 17th century it was used as a prison and courthouse. Since 2014, the tower has housed the Istituto Musicale Pareggiato della Valle d'Aosta.

Positioned north of the capital, along the road that leads to the hilly villages, the massive square tower of Ecours castle is the only remnant of the 13th century construction, together with a short stretch of the ancient surrounding wall. The building, which once belonged to the Lescours (De Curiis) family, among the most eminent of the Valdigne in the Middle Ages, was half enfeoffed to the nobles of Chatelard already in 1430. In 1551, the castle passed into the hands of the Bozel and subsequently, again in the 16th century, it became co-lordship of the Gal and the Malliet. In the following century, the fiefdom was reunited by the Passerins, who were still its owners in 1730.