Description of the attraction
Castello Ussel, perched on a cliff above the Châtillon commune in the Val d'Aosta region of Italy, is an interesting combination of a fortress and an aristocratic residence. It was erected in the middle of the 14th century by order of Ebalo II Shallan, and today it is a fine example of Valdostan fortress architecture - it is the first castle, consisting of a single building, which grew out of a medieval structure. Over the course of several centuries, it passed from the hands of the Challan family to the Savoy dynasty and back, then it was turned into a prison, and even later completely abandoned. In 1983, Baron Marcel Beach, the then owner of the castle, transferred it to the ownership of the Val d'Aosta autonomous region. In the same years, Castello Ussel was restored and turned into an exhibition center.
With a huge rectangular base, Castello Ussel is an excellent example of stone construction with false arches and beautiful double vaulted windows decorated with floral and geometric patterns. At the corners on the south side facing the mountain are two round towers, which were originally connected by a covered walkway. On the same side, there is an entrance with a horizontal loophole at the very top. On the north side of the castle, overlooking Chatillon, you can see two quadrangular towers with an observation tower in the middle - a symbol of feudal power. And inside, bulky fireplaces with huge consoles placed along the ascending line have survived to this day to use the only chimney.
When restoration work began in Castello Ussel, the castle was practically in ruins. Accurate restoration of the missing parts was facilitated by careful archaeological excavations. In the 1980s, a picturesque covered walkway was laid between the towers of the castle - "Cammino Dironda", from where today tourists can admire the Châtillon plain and its historical buildings.
