Bard, Aosta Valley

Bard
Comune
Comune di Bard Commune de Bard
Bard and Hône (separated by the A5 motorway) seen from Fort Bard.
Coat of arms
Bard Location of Bard in Italy
Coordinates: 45°36′32.19″N 7°44′43.69″E / 45.6089417°N 7.7454694°ECoordinates: 45°36′32.19″N 7°44′43.69″E / 45.6089417°N 7.7454694°E
Country	Italy
Region	Valle d'Aosta
Province	none
Frazioni	Issert, Crous, Albard, Valsourdaz
Area
• Total	3 km^2 (1 sq mi)
Elevation	400 m (1,300 ft)
Population (2006)
• Total	134
• Density	45/km^2 (120/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Bardois
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	11020
Dialing code	0125
Patron saint	Assumption of Mary
Saint day	15 August
Website	Official website

Bard (pron. bar) is a town and comune in the Aosta Valley region of northwestern Italy. It is part of the Unité des communes valdôtaines du Mont-Rose^[1] and has a population of 134.^[2]

Fort Bard (Italian: Forte di Bard - French: Fort de Bard) is a fortified complex built in the 19th century by the House of Savoy on a rocky prominence above the town. After many years of neglect, it has been completely restored. In 2006 It reopened to tourists as the home for the Museum of the Alps. The fort also has art exhibitions. In the summer, the main courtyard is used to host musical and theatrical performances.

History

Bard lies within a steep-sided gorge within the Aosta Valley.

Bard lies at the centre of a deep, narrow gorge at the head of the Aosta valley. This strategic point has been inhabited since the Neolithic period as archaeologists have found several large engraved stones around the area. It later became a major route between Celtic Gaul and the Roman world of the Italian peninsula.

Today the town has many buildings dating back to the 16th century. These include the Bishop's House and the House of the Sun Dial. The Dora Baltea is also crossed by a Medieval stone bridge

Fort Bard, which protects the pass, is built on the site of many earlier fortifications. In May 1800, it halted an entire French army launching a surprise attack on Northern Italy. It eventually fell to the division of French General Joseph Chabran on June 1, 1800.

Geography

Bard is located at the narrowest point of the Aosta Valley. At this point, the Dora Baltea makes a sharp turn around the large rock promontory on which Fort Bard is located. The steep valley sides means the village is full of small streets that are bordered with historic stone buildings.

The climate is mild for most of the year. The winter is cold but generally dry.

Economy

Bard is typical of the area, with agriculture, handicraft and tourism being the major industries.

Gallery

Town hall beneath the ramparts of Fort Bard. The medieval bridge across the Dora Baltea. The narrow streets and courtyards of Bard. The House of the Sundial. The parish church of the Assumption of Mary Medieval stairs within the narrow streets. The distinctive stone-cross windows in the town. Historic parts of the old town. A tower house crosses a road.

References

1. Unité des communes valdôtaines du Mont-Rose - Official webpage.
2. Dato Istat all'1/1/2007

External links

• (Italian) Bard official website
• Bard page on "The most beautiful villages in Italy" website