My connection to Aosta goes back to my 27th Great Grandfather, Humbert of Savoy.After Rudolf III’s death (1032), Humbert I swore fealty to Emperor Conrad II.[11] He supported Conrad II in his campaigns against Odo II, Count of Blois, and Aribert, Archbishop of Milan.[12] In return, Conrad II appointed Humbert count of Savoy and granted him Maurienne, Chablais and perhaps Tarentaise.[13] These imperial grants to a loyal supporter secured key passes through the Alps, controlling trade between Italy and Western Europe, which would be the core of Savoy power for centuries.[14]
From Wikipedia
Aosta, city, capital of Valle d’Aosta region, northwestern Italy, at the confluence of the Buthier and Dora Baltea rivers and commanding the Great and Little St. Bernard pass roads, north-northwest of Turin. It was a stronghold of the Salassi, a Celtic tribe that was subdued by the Romans in 25 bc, and a Roman town (Augusta Praetoria) was founded there by Augustusin 24 bc. A bishopric from the 5th century, the town was always the most important centre of the Valle d’Aosta; it became the regional capital in 1945. It was the birthplace of St. Anselm(1033/34–1109), archbishop of Canterbury.
Aosta retains the walls, two gates, and the street plan of its Roman predecessor, as well as a triumphal arch in honour of Augustus and remains of the theatre, the amphitheatre, and the road from Eporedia (modern Ivrea). The rectangular street plan, laid out in equal blocks (insulae), is an outstanding example of Roman formal city planning. Of later monuments, the cathedral is notable for its treasury and 12th-century floor mosaics, and the collegiate church of S. Orso for its Romanesque cloisters and Gothic choir stalls. Aosta is a commercial centre and has a metallurgical industry. Pop. (2001) 34,644.
The first inhabitants of the Aosta Valley were Celtsand Ligures, whose languageheritage remains in some local placenames. Rome conquered the region from the local Salassiaround 25 BC and founded Augusta Prætoria Salassorum(modern-day Aosta) to secure the strategic mountain passes, and they went on to build bridges and roads through the mountains. Thus, the nameValle d’Aostaliterally means “Valley of Augustus”.[12]
In 1031–1032, Humbert I of Savoy, the founder of the House of Savoy, received the title Count of Aostafrom Emperor Conrad II of the Franconian line and built himself a commanding fortification at Bard. Saint Anselm of Canterbury was born in Aosta in 1033 or 1034. The region was divided among strongly fortified castles, and in 1191, Thomas I of Savoy found it necessary to grant to the communes a Charte des franchises(“Charter of Liberties”) which preserved autonomy—rights that were fiercely defended until 1770, when they were revoked in order to tie Aosta more closely to Piedmont, but which were again demanded during post-Napoleonic times. In the mid-13th century, Emperor Frederick II made the County of Aosta a duchy(see Duke of Aosta), and its arms charged with a lion rampant were carried in the Savoy arms until the reunification of Italy in 1870.[13]
The region remained part of Savoy lands, with the exceptions of French occupations from 1539 to 1563, later in 1691, then between 1704 and 1706. It was also ruled by the First French Empire between 1800 and 1814. During French rule, it was part of Aoste arrondissement in Doiredepartment.[14]As part of the Kingdom of Sardinia, it joined the new Kingdom of Italy in 1861.
The region gained special autonomous statusafter the end of World War II; the province of Aosta ceased to exist in 1945
From Wikipedia
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