Châtel-Argent Castle

Villeneuve, Italy

There have been settlements on the site of Châtel-Argent castle since prehistoric times and through the Roman Era. There is a chapel dedicated to Saint Columba of Sens which was built sometime between 1050 and 1070. The castle first appears in a document in 1176 as Castrum Argenteum. The castle was improved around 1275 under the direction of Count Peter II's architect James St. George and castle grew to the configuration we see today. This castle had always been owned by the counts and the dukes of Savoy.

The ruins can be accessed from Villaneuve by walking The Rampa, a staircase carved into the rock of the valley wall. The castle is located in the town of Villeneuve in the Aosta Valley region, at about 10 km west of the city of Aosta. The most prominent feature left in the ruins is its watchtower keep measuring just under 10 meters in diameter which overlooks the town below. The ruins themselves cover about 6,300 square meters. When the castle was whole, it was estimated to be able to hold 700 people in times of danger.

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Founded: 13th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in Italy

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4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

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Scorpion Gdańsk (9 months ago)
Catel Argent is an interesting ruin in the town of Villeneuve. A medieval castle, once a much larger building. The tower is not open to the public. Next to the castle there is a renovated chapel, which is also worth visiting. At night, the castle is illuminated, which adds to its charm.
Alessandro Di Marco (9 months ago)
Reached the site on foot from the path that starts from the town of Villeneuve next to the Dorabaltea river. Car parked in the village, there is parking as you enter and pass the church on the left. It takes 20 minutes. Another route starts from the cemetery. There is a small parking lot. On the site there is a chapel, the keep, the ruined surrounding walls and the cistern for collecting water. The construction dates back to 1270 documented by archives of the time. Free Entrance. We found a gate we didn't enter we looked around and the chapel. There are no entry restrictions, we considered that it is a ruin, as a precaution we did not go through the gate. Some days of the week they organize guided tours at a cost of €3. In any case, a sign is displayed with the history of the site.
Cristy G Giuliani (14 months ago)
What would this site once have been like? The view is beautiful, on one side a cliff and on the other as well. An arduous road to climb, not for everyone. But various paths wind their way, there are various indications. If it hadn't been abandoned or so it seems it would certainly be more attractive. However it is magical!!!
Emlyn Jones (14 months ago)
Well looked after castle with a great path and view.
channel max (4 years ago)
They are the remains of an ancient castle built in 1275 by the Lords of Bard, on previous fortifications (probably a Roman fort ..). Always under the direct control of the Savoy, with its panoramic position, it controlled the passage in the valley. It was also a place of minting of money (hence the probable origin of the name, Chatel Argent ... Castle of money.). Of its 3 walls, some tracts remain, in addition to the cylindrical keep and an ancient chapel dedicated to Santa Colombana (dating back perhaps to 1050). It can be visited for free (guided tours are also possible) and can be reached in about 20 minutes on foot, on a path that is sometimes steep, starting from the nearby bridge over the Dora.
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