Aosta, the capital town of the region, is where the River Dora Baltea and the Buthier
stream meet. Mont Emilius (3559 m) rises above. The Cogne and the Grand St-Bernard
valleys converge towards the town, together with the important roads of the Petit and
the Grand St-Bernard passes which lead to France and Switzerland. The Romans
understood its strategic importance and founded Augusta Praetoria; but even before,
5000 years ago, groups of farmers belonging to a megalithic civilisation stopped in the
area, at St Martin de Corléans, on the western outskirts of Aosta. The Roman ruins are
unique - the old town-planning structure of the city centre perfectly kept and surrounded
by walls as well as the Praetorian Gateway, the Theatre, the Forum, the Criptoporticus,
Baths, the Ampitheatre and sections of walls with the Pailleron tower. At the eastern
entrance you find the Roman bridge and the solemn Augustus Arch.

The church of Sant'Orso, with its small, peaceful and precious cloister, its elegant bell-
tower and the Cathedral, date back to the Middle Ages. These two monuments are rich in
masterpieces, among which are the rare Ottonian frescoes (11th century), the Bishop's
residence, the Church of St Lawrence, the Leper Tower, the 'Tour Fromage', the Towers of
Bramafan, the 'Tour Neuve', the Church of St Stephen, Roncas Palace in Renaissance
style, Challand Barracks, seat of the Archaelogical Museum, and the neo-classic Town Hall.

Aosta is an artistic centre rich in traditions, with an ancient charm where the visitor can
enjoy a pleasant atmosphere. It is the true emblem of a region very rich in values, which
in Year 2000 was regarded as one of the major tourist destinations in Europe.