Etroubles tower of vachery

The Vachéry Tower: A Medieval Jewel in the Aosta Valley The Vachéry Tower, or Tour de Vachéry, is a precious witness to the historical and cultural heritage of the Aosta Valley.
Located in the picturesque hamlet of Vachéry, in the municipality of Etroubles, this medieval tower stands majestically, telling stories of past eras and noble families that have marked the history of the region.
Description:The Tower of Vachéry is characterized by a one-piece structure with a square plan.
An analysis by Mauro Cortellazzo shows how it bears constructive similarities with other Valle d’Aosta towers erected in open and flat places, far from defensive morphological elements.
This peculiarity suggests a deliberate choice of site, aimed not at defense, but perhaps at symbolism or territorial control.
The tower’s original entrance, positioned about 8 meters high, served to prevent enemy access.
The inhabitants accessed it by means of a wooden staircase, later removed.
Interestingly, above the entrance, significant architectural elements such as a monolithic doorpost and lintel are still preserved.
In later periods, a ground-floor entrance was added, while the original one on the west side was walled up.
One legend tells of a breach in the structure, attributed to the clemency of a nobleman of the House of Savoy.
This story is linked to a lady of Vachéry, whose pleas allegedly saved the tower from destruction.
Legend has it that the breach was never restored, as a symbol of the generosity of the Savoy nobleman.
Heritage and Restoration The restoration of the roof in the 2000s and the announcement of further work demonstrate the importance of preserving this monument.
The Vachéry Tower is not only an important architectural element, but also a symbol of the historical and cultural richness of the Aosta Valley.
Restoration and conservation initiatives underscore the importance of protecting and enhancing these jewels of the past so that they can be admired and studied by future generations as well.