Aosta

Aosta, a cathedral city of Italy, on the Dora Baltea, 19 miles from the opening of the great St Bernard Pass, and 80 miles NNW. of Turin by rail. It is surrounded by rich orchards, vineyards, and almond plantations, but the town itself is gloomy and irregular. It is the ancient Augusta Prætoria; and several monuments of the Roman times still remain. St Bernard was archdeacon of Aosta; and here Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury, was born. Near by are the celebrated baths and mines of St Didier, and the scenery in the neighbourhood is remarkably picturesque. Population, 5672. The beautiful valley of Aosta, between the Graian and Pennine Alps, is rich in woods, pastures, and minerals, and mineral wells (including Courmayeur). Cretinism prevails to a lamentable extent, and few persons are altogether free from goitre. French is the language generally spoken.