The site

The first human settlements in the gorge of Bard appeared in the aeneolithic era. The earliest evidence of material culture here dates back to the 2nd millenium B.C. - rock engravings and cupmarks on the smooth rocks at the foot of the fort document propitiatory rituals. The narrow passage between the river Dora and the rocky precipice has always been the only access to enter the Aosta Valley. The course of the road, much of which was hewn out of the mountain side, dates to Roman times: the consular road to Gaul, built after the final submission of the Salassi people (previous inhabitants) in 25 B.C., still has many impressive archaeological remains (arches, walls, substructures, a bridge over the torrent).