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Aosta Cryptoportic Forensic

The Forensic Cryptoportic


The Forensic Cryptoporticus of Aosta is a fascinating and mysterious place.
It is an underground structure dating back to Roman times that surrounded the sacred area of the forum of Augusta Praetoria, the colony founded by Augustus in 25 BC.


Architecture and Utility of the Forensic Cryptoporticus Located below the level of the Roman Forum in Aosta, the Forensic Cryptoporticus reveals itself as a fascinating underground labyrinth. The Cryptoporticus consists of a two-aisled gallery articulated on three sides, with barrel vaults supported by travertine pillars.

The precise purpose of the cryptoporticus to this day is still not entirely clear: perhaps it served as an ambulatory for worshippers accessing the two temples dedicated to deified Augustus and the Capitoline triad, or as a storehouse for military materials.
Certainly, its structural function was crucial, allowing it to regularize the unevenness of the ground and support the temples above.

The Cryptoporticus was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2020 and can be visited year-round with a cumulative ticket that also includes other archaeological sites and museums in the city.
It is one of the few forensic cryptoporticus accessible to the public in Europe and offers a unique testimony to Roman history and culture in the Aosta Valley.

Cryptoportic Forensic The History

The Forensic Cryptoportic: beyond curiosity...

A journey in the dark: located below the level of the Roman Forum in Aosta, the Cryptoporticus Forense reveals itself as a fascinating underground labyrinth.
Its galleries, illuminated by soft light, take the visitor back in time to the era of the glorious Augusta Praetoria.
An ingenious architecture: the cryptoporticus appears as a two-aisled structure, articulated on three sides and about 73 meters long.
The barrel vaults, supported by sturdy travertine pillars, create an evocative and mysterious atmosphere.
Its construction required considerable engineering skills, considering the complexity of the terrain and the need to ensure stability for the structures above.
An evocative experience: to visit the cryptoporticus is to immerse oneself in an atmosphere charged with history and mystery.
Its silent tunnels, illuminated by soft light, invite a journey through time, discovering a fascinating civilization and its architectural ingenuity.
An experience that gives emotions and enriches the cultural background of every visitor.
A must-see attraction: the Forensic Cryptoporticus is open to the public all year round, with a cumulative ticket that also includes access to other archaeological sites and museums in the city.
A must-see attraction for lovers of history, archaeology, and for all those who wish to discover Aosta's hidden secrets.

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