Arnad is a real pearl of Valle d'Aosta. A village with fairytale contours, which boasts great traditions, especially culinary ones. An area where you can reconnect with nature, discovering the panoramas offered by the Alps, as well as those splendid chestnut woods and, why, get lost among the ancient castles and churches of the place.

Arnad can be referred to as the door to the Valle d'Aosta. A place architecturally characterized by solid houses of medieval origin. In the initial part of the village there is the fertility stone, which owes its name to some Celtic magic rituals, on the surface it is possible to admire rock inscriptions. According to ancient beliefs, sliding over a smooth stone would allow women to heal their infertility or prevent it. For this reason the stone is also known as a women's slide.

What to see in Arnad

Finding yourself in Arnad means setting foot inside a fairy tale. It helps to generate this without the presence of the stillness Dora Baltea, on whose banks the village stands. Here the three arches of the Echallod bridge, built between 1770 and 1776 along the Via Francigena. A picturesque work, able to enrich the walks of nature lovers. The style is Romanesque and is made of stone and mortar.

Arnad view
Arnad view - Source: facebook.com/ComuneArnad

Embracing the surrounding nature is the only way to fully enjoy Arnad. Thus we find ourselves crossing a valley full of chestnut trees, capable of intoxicating any traveler. This path leads to a dirt road and finally to the sanctuary of Notre-Dame-des-Neiges. A suggestive place to say the least, dedicated to the Madonna delle Nevi, at the center of a celebration that is repeated every 5th August with a party of a thousand colors.

The sanctuary can only attract the attention of tourists, who have the opportunity to discover the ancient legend concerning it. Looking back, it is said that some shepherds found the wooden statue of the Madonna in a bush. It was they who placed it inside the oratory of the village above. The following day, however, it was found in the same bush. All of this was interpreted as a clear sign for the location of the future Machaby Shrine, which was erected in the very area of ​​that bush. Also to be discovered church of San Martino, adorned with a cycle of ancient frescoes. These depict St. George and the dragon, Herod's Banquet, the Crucifixion and some figures of the Apostles. Of Romanesque architecture, it dates back to the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries.

Arnad - Echallod Bridge
Arnad - Echallod Bridge - Source: instagram.com/comune_arnad

What to eat

As for being at the table, Arnad is made famous by the Lard d'Arnad PDO. The village boasts an ancient tradition, offering the public the best lard in Europe. Local families ate this salami as early as the 1570th century. In XNUMX, some documents report, it was a constant presence on the tables of the Monastery of Sant'Orso. In the following decades the processing was perfected, especially as regards the seasoning technique, which saw the exploitation of the "doils" from then on. These are containers made of chestnut wood, able to best preserve the lard. A dish enriched with herbs, spices, garlic, bay leaves, rosemary, cinnamon and many other ingredients. All to give an irresistible aroma.

Source of featured photo: Arnad - Valle d'Aosta: Patafisik CC BY-SA 3.0

Arnad, a fairy-tale village between nature and the scent of chestnuts last edit: 2021-09-19T09:00:00+02:00 da Luca Crowned

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