Bard, Aosta Valley

Bard (Valdôtain: Bar [bar]; Issime Walser: Board) 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[3] and has a population of 134.[4]

Bard
Comune
Comune di Bard
Commune de Bard
Bard and Hône (separated by the A5 motorway) seen from Fort Bard.
Coat of arms
Location of Bard
Bard
Location of Bard in Italy
Bard
Bard (Aosta Valley)
Coordinates: 45°36′32.19″N 7°44′43.69″E
CountryItaly
RegionAosta Valley
Provincenone
FrazioniIssert, Crous, Albard, Valsourdaz
Area
 • Total3 km2 (1 sq mi)
Elevation
400 m (1,300 ft)
Population
 (2006)[2]
 • Total134
 • Density45/km2 (120/sq mi)
Demonym(s)Bardois
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
11020
Dialing code0125
Patron saintAssumption of Mary
Saint day15 August
WebsiteOfficial website

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 and climate

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

Economy is typical of the area, where agriculture, handicraft and tourism take the major role.

Culture

Cinema

Bard has been a setting for numerous works of fiction and movies, including films, such as Avengers: Age of Ultron.

  • 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.
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References
  1. "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Istat. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  2. "Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018". Istat. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  3. Unité des communes valdôtaines du Mont-Rose - Official webpage.
  4. Dato Istat all'1/1/2007
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