The Most Spectacular Castle of Aosta Valley, Italy
A journey through time in Valle D'Aosta, the captivating history and allure of this remarkable region and one of its most scenic castles, Castle of Saint-Pierre.
Nestled in the breathtaking Alps of northwestern Italy lies the enchanting region of Valle D'Aosta, a land steeped in history, culture, and architectural wonders. Known as the “region of 120 castles,” Valle D'Aosta boasts a rich heritage of medieval fortresses and castles that dot its picturesque landscape, each with its own unique story to tell. An impressive number of castles and other types of fortifications, but also a relatively small population, make it
the most fortified region in Italy.
Among these magnificent structures stands the illustrious Castle of Saint-Pierre, a true gem of Valle D'Aosta's historical legacy.
Table of Content
The TOP castles in Italy
The Castle of Saint-Pierre
De Sancto Petro noble family
Where to eat near the castle of Saint-Pierre
Saint-Pierre wine is DOC (Controlled Designation of Origin).
More Info About Tickets, Prices, Timetables of the Castles
Before telling you the history of this castle, I wanted to highlight some top castles in Italy. Because Italy is home to a wealth of stunning castles that showcase the country's rich history and architectural beauty.
From the iconic Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome to the picturesque Castello di Amorosa in Tuscany, each castle offers a unique glimpse into Italy's past. Whether perched on a hilltop overlooking the countryside or nestled within a bustling city, these castles stand as a testament to Italy's enduring legacy of art, culture, and grandeur. Exploring these magnificent structures is like stepping back in time and experiencing the grandeur of Italy's medieval past. Here I collected for you
The TOP castles in Italy
Italy is home to a staggering 20,000 castles.
The oldest castle in Italy is Castel Dell'Ovo in Naples.
The largest castles are Sforza castle in Milan in first place and castles in Enna, Brescia, and Lucera in second place.
The highest castle, 1,460 meters above sea level (4,790 ft), and one of the most beautiful is that of Rocca Calascio in the Abruzzo region.
The most beautiful castles in Italy also are Castel Scaligero (Malcesine, Veneto) and Rocca Scaligera (Sirmione).
The Castle of Saint-Pierre
Only a few kilometers from Aosta, this castle is situated on a rock near the main road, SS26. As a result, it is impossible to miss when passing by in a car.
The rock itself is intriguing because it is a marble rock spur. It is uncommon for a castle to be located on a marble rock. The village sits at a height of 731 m above sea level (ca. 2398 ft), while the castle rock is 760 meters (ca. 2493 ft), according to my apps.
Near the castle which is one of the oldest in the Aosta Valley stands the parish church of Saint-Pierre, built in 1873 on the remains of the previous church. The oldest section of the church dates back to before the year one thousand, interesting is the 12th-century Romanesque bell tower, which was originally a fortification tower.
Over the centuries the castle has changed many owners who expanded it. The last one, Baron Emanuele Bollati, restored it in 1873 in the romantic style that was the fashion of the time, also adding the 4 turrets. Today the castle belongs to the region and since 1985 has been home to the Regional Museum of Natural Sciences. I visited it when it was re-opened after the restoration, which lasted 14 years
De Sancto Petro noble family
From the documents that have survived to the present day, we know that in 1191 the owners of the house-fort and a tower were the De Sancto Petro family. We know that Sancto Petro was a potent family originally from the place. They were enemies of the other nearby powerful family, Sarriod De La Tour, whose castle is just opposite.
The Sarriod De La Tour were the descendants of Bard nobles famous for their cruelty towards simple people and nobles. So owning a network of fortifications wasn't something out of the ordinary if you were a noble and wanted to survive in that period.
However, we must not think that only the lords of Bard were like this. Centuries later, the Counts of Savoy were forced to intervene because De Sancto Petro and other nobles imposed an unsustainable tax regime that pushed their people into extreme poverty.
I found nothing more about this family, no images, except the single fact that the last heir of De Sancto Petro had married in 1507 to the Secretary of State of Duke Charles II of Savoy Jean Vuillet.
But every visit to the castle has its end. I went outside. It was daytime, but the sun turned, and this side of the valley was now in the shade. I walked around again and started to think that I should have lunch by now. As I have already told you in my previous articles, it takes me three hours to get to this place.
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