From 16 to 24 September, on the occasion of the European Heritage Days, Italy’s Aosta Valley kicks off the 11th edition of Plaisirs de Culture.
Ancient trades explained
This year’s theme for the event, Living Heritage, is an invitation to experience the Valle d’Aosta region’s cultural heritage first hand.
For example in Jovençan, potions and natural remedies based on officinal plants are on the bill, and the surroundings cam be explored on a guided cycle tour that ends with a show. In Champorcher hemp is woven according to ancient techniques, in Fénis children can build wooden musical instruments in the carpentry workshop, while in Sarriod de la Tour Castle fantastic characters are modelled in clay.
Cultural visits and exhibitions
There are many themed walks that allow visitors to appreciate lesser-known aspects of the Aosta Valley where, even under the mountains, there are treasures to be discovered. As in Cogne where the highest mines in Europe are located, and where you can walk through the tunnels to discover the experience of generations of miners and then visit the mining museum. For one week, it will be possible to visit the following castles and museums free of charge: Sarriod de la Tour Castle, Saint Pierre Castle - E. Noussan Regional Museum of Natural Sciences, Aymavilles Castle - Museum of the 19th century, Sarre Royal Castle, Fénis Castle, Gamba Castle in Châtillon - Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Verrès Castle, Issogne Castle and Savoy Castle in Gressoney-Saint-Jean. Doors are also open to the archaeological sites of Aosta to the MAR - Regional Archaeological Museum and the aqueduct of Pont-d'Aël in the municipality of Aymavilles.
Guided tours, and free or reduced admission
There is no shortage of guided tours of places preserved by time such as rural houses, seats of institutions and churches from Aosta Cathedral to chapels in small villages. All cultural venues - castles, museums, archaeological sites, churches, house museums and monuments - in Aosta and the surrounding villages have free or reduced admission.
For information: https://valledaostaheritage.com/events/plaisirs-culture-2023
