Castel Savoia: A Royal Retreat in Valle d'Aosta
The Savoia Castle was built at the beginning of the 20th century by Queen Margherita of Savoy. It is located in the village of Belvedere in Gressoney-Saint-Jean, with a breathtaking view of the Monte Rosa massif. The Queen visited the Lys Valley in the 1890s and stayed at the château of Baron Luigi Beck-Peccoz in Gressoney.
The exterior consists of a rectangular central body with four crenellated towers and the interior is richly decorated. On the ground floor of the château, there are interconnecting rooms for everyone and private apartments above.
The Savoy Castle is a true pearl among the castles of the Aosta Valley. It is impossible not to feel like you are in a fairy tale when you stand in front of its turrets, which make it look like an enchanted castle!
In fact, the castle is in the middle of the countryside, surrounded by beautiful scenery, full of charm in all seasons.
As in any fairy tale, however, to reach the princess you will have to climb a short hill, but it will be worth it! =)
It is no coincidence that this splendid location was much desired by Queen Margherita of Savoy, who, having fallen in love with the Valle del Lys during her stays at the castle of Baron Luigi Beck-Peccoz in Gressoney, was determined to have her own castle in this enchanting setting, and the project was entrusted to Emilio Stramucci.
As if that were not enough, this castle is situated on a splendid vantage point overlooking the Gressoney valley, with a breathtaking view of Monte Rosa that is worth every step to reach it!
But the surprises don't stop there! Once you arrive at the castle, I will accompany you on a discovery of the magnificent halls and rooms of the castle, decorated in an eclectic and meticulous style and equipped with all the comforts of the time. You will truly feel as if you are living in a fairy tale, with its kings and queens, whose exploits we will retrace together, but above all with their customs and traditions.
As we will see, the rooms are splendid examples of architectural experimentation, richly decorated with medieval furniture and decorations, but with a modern touch, thanks to the work of local craftsmen and Piedmontese masters such as Michele Dellera and Carlo Cussetti for the pictorial decorations.
We will start our visit on the ground floor, where the communal rooms are located, and continue to the upper floor, where we will visit the private apartments.
A recurring detail will be the daisy, whose motifs, scattered throughout the fortress in honour of the Queen, together with the mottos of the House of Savoy, become true ornamental and decorative motifs in the castle.
Do not miss this tour, it will leave you speechless!
Entrance fees
Full ticket - €10, reduced ticket with an Aosta Valley guide - €7 (with an Aosta Valley guide), reduced ticket - €3 for people aged 19-25, Free - 0-18, for holders of the Abbonamento Musei Piemonte and Lombardia, for people with a 104/92 certificate and their carers, for teachers at a ratio of 1:10.
Opening hours
Winter opening hours, Tuesday to Sunday 10-13, 14-17 (October - March)
Summer opening hours, Tuesday to Sunday 9am to 7pm, closed on Mondays, except public holidays and July and August.
Information
Castel Savoia, Localita Belvedere, Gressoney Saint-Jean
Worth knowing
The visit lasts 30 minutes inside (15 minutes outside).
The castle is accessible to wheelchair users.