Valle d’Aosta is known for its beautiful mountains and for the ancient Roman heritage of its most important town, Aosta. Architecture and history lovers, however, are probably also familiar with its majestic castles: according to 19th-century Piemontese playwright and historian Giuseppe Giacosa, there are 72 castles, fortified houses, and keeps in the main valley of the region, and more along the smaller ones. 

The oldest among them is the Tour de l’Archet (10th century), in Morgex, while the most recent is theCastello Jocteau, also known as the Castello Duca degli Abruzzi, or Castello Generale Cantore, erected in the early 20th century in an eclectic style reminiscent of Medieval architecture, and today home to the Aosta’s Scuola Militare Alpina.