Guided Tour of the Fénis Castle
Fénis castle is the most famous and visited castle in the Aosta Valley.
It is an example of medieval castle with its towers, loopholes and boundary walls built between 14th and 15th centuries by Aimone of Challant and his son Bonifacio, who entrusted the decoration to a workshop related to the painter Giacomo Jaquerio.
The castle belonged to the aristocratic Challant’s family until 1716 and at the end of the 19th century was turned into a rural dwelling. The castle was bought and restored by architect Alfredo d’Andrade, who gave it to the State in 1906. During 20th century it was renovated again an became the location of the Museum of Furniture of Aosta Valley.
The castle of Fénis is famous for its inner courtyard decorated with exquisite frescoes featuring Saint George killing the dragon and a group of wisemen and prophets, holding scrolls on which you can see proverbs and moral maxims in ancient French. These can be attributed to a painter close to the school of Jaquerio.
The internal rooms show monumental fireplaces; some frescos garnish the inner courtyard and a Lady of Mercy depicted in the chapel protects all members of the Challant family under her mantel.
During the guided tour of the Fenis castle we will visit the weaponry, the dining room, the pantry, the kitchen, the bedroom and the chapel. A walk around the castle permits to appreciate the medieval and defensive structure of the building and the presence of some mysterious apotropaic masks!
Discover here the guided tours of all the castles of the Aosta Valley
