Castello di Issogne

Ages ago we went to visit Castello di Issogne, a 12th century castle in the Aosta Valley. The site where the castle stands has been occupied since Roman times, meaning people have been settled there for about 2000 years!

The castle passed through a number of hands between the middle age and the 1800s, experiencing periods of both occupation and abandonment. The castle has been open to tourists for many years, and the hundred and some rooms are still decorated with the same beautiful antique furniture that filled them in the 17th and 18th centuries. The remains of a family tree comprised of various family crests can still be seen painted on the walls of the inner courtyard.

The courtyard is surrounded by porticos that are decorated with original frescos. The frescos are extremely valuable because they depict every-day life from the middle age, such as scenes from a pharmacy, a bakery, a butcher, and a market. It’s like a window into the lives of Italians from the middle age!

At the center of the courtyard is a fountain with a wrought-iron pomegranate tree. The pomegranate tree was a gift to the inhabitants of the castle in the 1500s and was considered a symbol of prosperity.

One of the most fascinating things about the castle was that many of the walls were covered in carved graffiti that dated from the 1500s to the 1700s. The graffiti was from when people broke into the empty castle during periods of abandonment and wanted to leave their mark by writing or drawing something along with their name and the date. I just thought it was interesting to think of the people that carved their names on the walls 500 years ago, who they were and what their lives were like.

Across the valley from Issogne stands another castle, called Castello di Verrès. Members from both often battled against each other in periods of political disagreement. Built in the 14th century, Verres was one of the first castles constructed as a single structure rather than as a series of buildings enclosed in a circuit wall.

On the topic of castles and things, here’s a picture of Fort Bard, built in the 19th century. This is were the Avengers 2 movie was filmed, for those who care! Which I do not because I haven’t even seen the first one haha…

The Aosta Valley is filled with ancient castles and forts. Some have been perfectly preserved and some are falling into disrepair… But all of them are stunningly beautiful, built high on the mountains and set against dark green pines. Anyone with an interest in Medieval and Renaissance history and architecture really should go!