Aosta

Industrial town and tourist centre on the River Dora Baltea, northwest Italy, 79 km/49 mi northwest of Turin; population (1990 est) 36,100. It is the capital of Valle d'Aosta (French-speaking) autonomous region. The town's economy is based on tourism, commerce, and administration, as well as industry, which includes iron, food, chemical, textiles, publishing, and wood-working businesses. Aosta is a commercial and financial centre for the region. There are extensive Roman remains, and the town stands at the junction of the two St Bernard passes.

On account of the town's Roman remains, which include an arch of Augustus, walls, a three-arched gateway, and an amphitheatre, Aosta is sometimes known as ‘the Rome of the Alps’. It was founded in AD25 and was called Augusta Praetoria by the Romans. The cathedral and Sant'Orso Church date from the 10th and 11th centuries.

Aosta was the birthplace of St Anselm, who went on to become archbishop of Canterbury.