Our Lady of the Assumption, Villeneuve

Villeneuve is a small municipality about 8 kilometres west of Aosta. Its old church, dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption (Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption), was built, enlarged and decorated over several centuries. Each period has left a visible part: a Romanesque bell tower, a Gothic choir, a Baroque altarpiece.

Recorded from the 11th century

The first mentions of the church date back to the 11th century. It was Romanesque in style at the time. The building was later altered on several occasions, according to the needs of the community and the tastes of each period.

Its history is linked to the provosts of Saint-Gilles, heads of a community of canons, who are thought to have played a part in its construction. The Counts of Savoy are said to have paid for some of the renovations. The rest of the work was done by craftsmen from the valley.

A building in several parts

• The Romanesque bell tower is the main surviving part of the original church.
• The main nave is lined with side chapels.
• The Gothic choir was added in the 15th century.

A visit can follow the order of the periods. First, look at the bell tower, the oldest part. Then enter the nave, between the chapels, and move on towards the choir, added three or four centuries later.

The load-bearing elements are of dressed stone. Buttresses set against the outer walls keep the whole structure stable. The choir has rib vaults: stone arches crossing diagonally support the vault. This is the hallmark of Gothic architecture.

Frescoes, altarpiece and stalls

The walls of the choir bear 15th-century frescoes. Above the high altar is a 17th-century Baroque altarpiece, that is, a large carved and painted decoration placed behind the altar.

The church also has carved wooden stalls from the 16th century. These high-backed seats in the choir were reserved for the clergy. The finely worked pulpit is the work of local craftsmen.

A church still in use

The church still holds services and times of prayer. It also draws visitors who come for its architecture and decoration. For the people of Villeneuve, it remains a landmark in the landscape and in the history of the village.

Parrocchia di Santa Maria Assunta
Piazza Assunzione, 3
11018 VILLENEUVE (AO)
Telephone: (+39) 0165 95114