Unité des Communes Évançon Verrès

Where the historic carnival comes to life

Located at the mouth of Val d’Ayas 39 km from Aosta, the municipality of Verrès rises to an altitude of 390 m above sea level on the banks of the Evançon stream and, with its territory just over 8 km wide, has about 2,700 inhabitants. The magic of Verrès is hidden among the streets and houses of its village, the historic core, listed among the most beautiful villages in Italy. It is surrounded by the stunning mountains of Mont Saint-Gilles, Mont Carogne and the Monte Avic natural park and is topped by its namesake castle. It, in addition to bearing witness to the history of this town, also serves as a sumptuous stage for the historic carnival, an important time of celebration and unity for the townsfolk who enthusiastically sing and dance reenacting traditions such as the square dance of Countess Caterina Challant.

Population

2546

Inhabitants name

IT: verrezziesi FR: verressiens

Altitude

391 m o.s.l.

Hamlets

La Barmaz, Le Baracon, Bérat, Carogne, Casset, Champore, Chapine, Chavascon, Le Crest, Le Glair, Le Gramonier, La Grange Neuve, La Murasse, La Nâche, Omeins, Piet, Polarey, Possuey, Praz-Ussel, Couassod, Roléchon, Riorte, Riverolaz, Rovarey, Sérémont, La Tour, Torille, Vert, Vianad, Vigne-Gard, Veusoz

Vedile tutte

Leggi meno

Patron Saint

sant'Egidio

Twin Cities

Distance from Aosta

39.3 Km

Coordinates

45.6624352, 7.6938048

Verrès The History

On the birth of Verrès it is difficult to establish a precise date; we know that it was founded before the settlement of the Romans. In any case, we know that The toponym Verrès derives from the Latin Vitricium. A small curiosity about the pronunciation of the name of this municipality: It has long been incorrectly used by non-valdostans because of the spelling and pronunciation of the toponym spread in the fascist era "Castel Verres." The only correct pronunciation of this toponym is "Verrès," just as even an Italophone would read it, with the accent on the second "e," but with only one "r" pronounced, according to the rules of phonetics of the French language and of the Valdostan patois It is interesting to know that from Verrès, in Roman times, passed the Via delle Gallie, a Roman consular road built by Augustus to connect the Po Valley with Gaul. In the 13th century, the territory became a fief of the De Verrecio lords, only to be ceded later to Ibleto di Challant in the middle of the following century. It was Ibleto himself who ordered the construction of the castle of Verrès. Exactly In this manor-residence, the celebration of the historical carnival , which recalls the events of Catherine of Challant and Pierre Sarriod d'Introd, takes place every year.

Whato do in Verrès

What to do in Verrès

Verrès and its surroundings are home to numerous nature-based activities, cultural-historical visits and traditional festivals suitable for young and old alike. The discovery of the town cannot but begin with a visit to the castle, a perfect cube dating back to the 14th century, placed as a bulwark of the valley still known by the name of the noble Challant family. Then descending into the village are the chapel of Saint Roch from 1691, the central Emile Chanoux square, and the collegiate church of Saint Gilles, undoubtedly the most important monument in Verrès, after its castle. Founded by Marquis Adalbert of Ivrea around the beginning of the 11th century, the complex includes the monastery and parish church. Continuing below the village you can reach les Murasses, or the former stables of the counts of Challant, now home to the Evançon Mountain Community and the district library. A final visit we recommend is theArboretum La Borna du Laou, a beautiful botanical garden that houses several species within it that are characteristic of this place. From the charming hamlet, you can notice as you look up the Cross of Saint-Gilles, set on a very scenic rocky knoll that we recommend you walk to admire the hamlet from above as well. FEASTS AND TRADITIONS There is no shortage of village festivals and local traditions in Verrès. We remember: The bargain and exchange market: which has now become a regular event and appreciated by all second-hand goods lovers, it is organized every first Sunday of the months from May to September.
The feast of St. Augustine and St. Roch: these take place at the end of August, on the occasion of the celebration of St. Augustine and St. Roch on August 16. Tasty traditional dishes are celebrated in the neighborhoods!
The Pumpkin Festival… from the garden to the table is the event that at the end of September aims to enhance this fruit that is grown in the town’s vegetable gardens: a market, themed tastings, various animations and a prize for the best pumpkins on display
The most awaited and heartfelt is undoubtedly The Historical Carnival, which takes place every year between Saturday and Shrove Tuesday: four days of historical re-enactment, dinners and dances at the castle and parades in the center of the town.