- Aosta is a cathedral city in Italy located near to the entrance to the Mont Blanc Tunnel leading into France. It is in the Aosta Valley Region of Italy.
History
- The Romans conquered the Salassi in 25 BCE and renamed their city Augusta Praetoria Salassorum and in 11 BCE they made it the capital of the Province of Alpes Poenninae on the alpine frontier of Italia.
- The Fortress guarded the Roman Road to the Great St. Bernard Pass, which lies 11 miles (18km) to the northwest.
- 3,000 veteran legionaries were settled in Aosta.
Roman Sites
- The Roman Walls
- The walls are completely preserved. They are 21 ft (6.4m) high and 9 ft (2.7m) thick at the base.
- It had 20 Towers, 6 of which are still intact.
- It had 4 Gates, 2 of which are intact.
- The Porta Praetoria
- The Eastern Gate is intact, as is also the South Gate.
- Amphitheatre
- In the Monastery of San Catarina,
- Theatre
- Seating up to 4,000 spectators (c. 10 CE)
- Triumphal Arch of Augustus
- Cemetery
- Baths
- Insulae
- Roman Bridges
- Pont de Pierre, over the Buthier river at Aosta.
- Pont d’Ael, 5 miles (8km) west of Aosta.
Museums
- Aosta Archeological Museum
Roman Roads
- Via of the Alpes Poenniae:
- Milan–Aosta–Roman Great St. Bernard Pass–Bourg Saint Pierre–Martigny–Lyon
- The city was clearly built to defend the main road which was 39 ft (10m) wide and ran straight through the city from east to west.
Aosta