Château de Châtelard

Introduction

The Chatelard Castle, located in the municipality of La Salle, in Valle d'Aosta, is a fascinating testimony to the region's medieval history. Built between the 12th and 13th centuries, at a time of fervent defensive construction, this manor was built to ensure control over the surrounding territory, a strategic area that dominated the valleys below and protected the access routes to the Alps. The castle's elevated position reflected the need to guard the passage of travellers and goods, while at the same time ensuring prompt defence against possible enemy incursions.

Description

The Chatelard castle has the typical characteristics of medieval Valdostan fortresses. The structure is compact, with solid stone perimeter walls enclosing an inner courtyard. The walls, designed to resist assaults, are interspersed with watchtowers and bastions, while the donjon, or main tower, stands at the centre of the complex. This imposing, thick-walled tower was the defensive heart of the building and provided a safe haven for the castle's inhabitants. Over the centuries, the castle has undergone a number of modifications and restorations, but has retained intact the austerity and solidity of its original structure, a symbol of a time when security and resistance were essential qualities.
Many historical figures are linked to the Chatelard castle, starting with the nobles of the Sarriod de La Tour family, who owned it for generations. This family, among the most influential in the area, used the castle as their residence and power base, administering the surrounding lands and thus securing for themselves a prominent role in the Aosta Valley society of the time. Their presence was fundamental to the history of the manor, as they enriched its prestige and function, transforming it into a symbol of their dominion.
Today, Chatelard Castle stands as a picturesque ruin, a silent witness to a glorious past. Not being open to the public, the castle can only be admired from the outside, but its view, framed by the beauty of the surrounding nature, is enough to evoke the ancient medieval atmosphere. Despite its state of neglect, its ruins attract history buffs and the curious, who venture here to breathe in the air of a bygone era.
Like any self-respecting castle, Chatelard is not lacking in mysteries and legends. It is said that the castle is inhabited by the spirit of a veiled lady, a noblewoman who wanders the walls in search of a lost love. The locals say that on the darkest, stormy nights, a faint moan carried by the wind can be heard, like an ancient regret that time has failed to erase. This legend, which adds a touch of mystery and romance to the castle's history, contributes to making it even more fascinating for those who let themselves be carried away by their imagination, imagining a world in which knights and ladies, battles and forbidden loves animated these ancient walls.