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Aosta Valley
North-west Italy’s Val d’ Aosta or also known as the Aosta Valley is the smallest of all the Italian regions. With its special autonomous status, it forms one of the main provinces of the country.
Aosta Valley is surrounded by the most famous mountain peaks in the Alpine region, making it a winter wonderland. The stellar Matterhorn and the highest peak on the continent, the proud Monte Bianco, are near this region, while the magnificent Gran Paradiso mountain are located in its famed national reserve with species of eagle and chamois frolicking in the wilderness.
In the winter, its glorious snow-capped mountains attract the ski enthusiasts, particularly to the Courmayeur area, who come to sample its calm spring-water lakes, wooded pine glens and fireplace chats with the locals and visitors from else alike.
Its proximity to the famed ski resort town of Chamonix in France is another good reason for travellers to visit, with the tunnel going through Mont Blanc mountains connecting the area.
The most spoken languages in Aosta Valley are French and Italian, as well as a few German speaking communes, as a result of the Walser communities in the Gressoney area from the 12th and 13th centuries.
Its regional capital Aosta is a testament to the rich heritage of the area, with traces of ancient Roman history, all the way to medieval castles that tell of wars and conquest. Visitors are invited to drop by the castles of Fenis, Aymavillaes, Verres and Issogne for a travel back in time, as these are remarkable feats of architecture preserved by the proud local communicaties. Religious architecture has also been untouched and well-preserved—among them, the Sant Orso Church.
