Aosta

Aosta is a city in northwestern Italy and the capital of the autonomous region of Valle d'Aosta. It is located in the Alpine valley of the same name, at the confluence of the Dora Baltea and the Buthier rivers and near the Mont Blanc massif.

Historically, Aosta began as Augusta Praetoria, founded by Emperor Augustus around 25 BCE for the Salassi, a local Alpine tribe. It grew into a major Roman settlement and later became an important medieval town.

The historic center preserves Roman and medieval heritage, including the Arch of Augustus, the Porta Praetoria, and segments of the ancient city walls and a Roman theatre. Notable religious buildings include the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the Basilica di Sant'Orso.

Cultural and linguistic characteristics reflect its location in a bilingual region: Italian and French are widely used in administration and daily life, and the local Valdôtain dialect is common in rural areas.

The economy relies on tourism, services, and regional specialties such as wine and cheese. Aosta serves as a base for alpine recreation, with nearby ski areas including the Pila resort accessible by cable car from the city.

As of the latest estimates, Aosta has about 34,000 residents.