AERIAL VIEW photos of Aosta Valley, Italy. Veduta aerea, Italia.

The village of Gressoney-Saint-Jean (elevation: 1390 meters) in the picturesque Lys Valley. Looking north, the narrow valley frames beautifully the Lyskamm (elevation: 4533 meters) in the Monte Rosa Massif. Aosta Valley, Italy.

Saint-Pierre Castle and Saint-Pierre Parish Church. The earliest record of a castle built on the rocky outcrop dates back to the late 12th Century. Subsequent owners brought their own modifications to the structure. The current architecture is from 1873. Since 1985, the castle houses the Regional Museum of Natural Sciences. Saint-Pierre, Aosta Valley, Italy.

Sarriod de la Tour Castle on a clifftop overlooking the Dora Baltea River, a 170-kilometer-long tributary of the Po River that originates at the eastern Mont Blanc Massif. Saint-Pierre, Aosta Valley, Italy.

Overlooking the Aosta Valley, the Sarre Royal Castle was built in 1710 atop the remains of a stronghold mentioned as early as 1242. The castle was acquired in 1869 by Victor Emanuel II (b.1820-d.1878), King of Italy, who restored it and used it for his hunting trips in the region. The estate was bought and restored in 1989 by the regional administration of the Aosta Valley, and is, since then, a museum dedicated to the Savoys' history in the region. Sarre, Aosta Valley, Italy.

The first mention of Fénis Castle dates back to 1242. The most important construction project took place in the 14th century under the supervision of the Lords of Challant (who owned the castle until 1716). Although the castle has two imposing surrounding walls, it was built more as a display of prestige than a defensive fort. Some important renovations were done in 1895 and 1935. Fénis, Aosta Valley, Italy.

The medieval Fénis Castle is situated on a small hill overlooking the town of Fénis. The castle belongs to the Regional Council and is a great asset to the promotion of tourism as this historical structure is eye-catching with its many towers and ornate, pronounced battlements. This Aosta Valley’s landmark is one of the most visited site in the region. Fénis, Aosta Valley, Italy.

The ruins of Cly Castle stand perched on a rocky promontory about 300 meters above the Dora Baltea River in the Aosta Valley. Its origins are believed to date from around the 11th century. Saint-Denis, Aosta Valley, Italy.

Built on a small mound, Aymavilles Castle is an architecturally interesting castle that combines medieval and baroque elements. Its first mention dates back to 1207. The four corner towers were added in the 15th century. The castle was acquired by the Autonomous Region of Valle d'Aosta in 1970 and can be visited as it is also a museum. One ot the museum’s exhibits is about the Challant family who owns the castle for many centuries and did most of the notable architectural changes we see today. Aymavilles, Aosta Valley, Italy.

The Parish Church of San Pietro was inaugurated in 1905. It dominates the medieval town of Châtillon. Aosta Valley, Italy.

ITALY