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Gran Paradiso
Aosta





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Aosta


The geography conferred upon Aosta the role of natural crossroads for commerce for over two millennia. Such development goes hand in hand withthe construction of important monuments and artifacts, that are well preserved to this day.

Starting from the ring road of via Roma, at 50 meters before the Buthier torrent are the remains of a Roman bridge. On the other bank is the Augustus Arc of Triumph, testimonial to the Roman victory over what was, until then, a Gallic military post.

Continuing along via S. Anselmo the complex of Sant'Orso can be found on the street bearing the same name. Of note are the romanic cloister (Xth century), and a XVIth century priory. It is also complemented by an archeological museum that has pieces dating back to Roman times.

Across the road, the church of San Lorenzo allows visitors into the excavations of the original Vth century paleochristian basilica. Continuing along via S. Anselmo we reach the impressive porta Pretoria (Ist century B.C.), one of four entry points that were joined by defensive walls. One can follow the inside perimeter and encounter a number of towers: Balivi, Labbroso, Bramafam, et Pailleron. Tour Neuve is a XIIIth century structure erected over a Roman base.

After porta Pretoria, to the right, are the remains of the Roman Theater and, in the courtyard of the Santa Caterina convent, the Amphitheater of which some arches were completely 'absorbed' by the monastery's structure.

Due west, in piazza Giovanni XXIII, we find another group of monuments. Facing the Roman Forum, the Cathedral is a structure with its own rich history. Only a few objects remain of the initial paleochristian structure. It was replaced by a romanic church in the XIth century, whose only unchanged stylistic element is the bell-tower; the facade is neoclassical, having been refurbished in 1848. Inside are a wide variety of objects ranging from romanic frescoes and mosaics to XVth century stained glass. From here one can visit the cloister (XVth century) and the Museo del Tesoro which houses important works of romanic and medieval art.

A stone's throw away, in Piazza Roncas, is the Regional Archeological Museum, ex-Convent of the Visitation, host to many archeological artifacts.

Other monuments of interest include the Vescovado (XIIIth century), the house of S. Anselmo (XVIth) in the street bearing his name and the Church of S. Stefano built over the remains of a Roman cemetery.

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