The Roman walls and towers of Aosta

Aosta has kept much of its Roman walls. They still form a rectangle around the historic centre. It is one of the best-preserved Roman circuits in northern Italy.

A stone rampart

The walls were built when the town was founded, in 25 BC. They have a rubble core faced with small, neatly cut stone blocks. Square towers rose at regular intervals, and four gates opened onto the main streets.

The surviving towers

Several towers are still standing. In the Middle Ages many were reused and altered by the town’s noble families.

• The Leper’s Tower, to the south-west, takes its name from a leper who was shut up there in the 18th century. His story inspired a tale by Xavier de Maistre.
• The Bramafam Tower is a medieval castle of the Challant family, built on the north-east Roman gate.
• The Pailleron Tower, to the south, is one of the best preserved in its Roman form.
• The Fromage Tower, near the theatre, now hosts exhibitions.

The walk

You can walk around the walls. The south and west sides are the most impressive. Access to the outside of the walls is free.

Main photo (Bramafam Tower): Tenam2, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Maps: personal work by Marc Badjou.