Montjovet The Castle of Montjovet saint germain

Historical Role of the Castle Control and Defense Strategically located on high ground, Montjovet Castle played a crucial role in controlling the village below and the trade routes of the Aosta Valley.
Its elevated position not only allowed effective defense against raids, but also provided an ideal vantage point for monitoring movements along the valley.
Vicissitudes and Changes of Ownership Originally owned by the Montjovet family, the castle passed into the hands of the Savoys in the late 13th century.
This change of ownership was motivated by the abuse that Feidinus of Montjovet inflicted on valley dwellers and wayfarers, a pretext similar to that used to take control of the nearby Fort of Bard.
Over the centuries, the castle was ceded to the Challant family and then returned to the Savoy in 1438, when Amadeus VII installed a garrison there that remained active until 1661.
Decay and Preservation The End of the Garrison and Abandonment With the transfer of the garrison to Bard Fort in 1661, Montjovet Castle was left to decay, a fate common to many medieval manors that lost their military and political importance.
Today, visitors can observe only the tower and a few other structures, silent witnesses to a glorious but turbulent past.