At around 100 kilometers from Turin, there is the Fort Bard, a fortified complex built on a rock prominence in the 19th century by the House of Savoy. It is used to hose few museums related to the fortress, to its peculiarities and the Alps, but it has also a hotel and some spaces for temporary exhibitions. In Italy, it is quite well known because of this reason. Art and photography are the main themes of the exhibitions proposed by the Association that manage the Fort.
The first aspect that every visitor notices is the great position of the fortress on the rocks. It is superb to see it from the street, but when you are on the top the panorama is really breathless. The mountains and the villages around looks like a magic landscape saw on a postcard. Directly under the fortress, there is the medieval village of Bard, which is also the starting point to go up.
Don’t worry, if you like to visit it and you don’t want to walk there is the elevator. It is free and you need to change twice on the way, because each lift goes to a certain level and step by step you arrive easily and without effort to the top. From there you will be delighted by the view and then you can go to visit the different exhibitions and museums located in the fortress.
Before going up you can have a tour of the small medieval village of Bard. There are some interesting decorations and houses, but there is also some modernity and some elements that are ruining the original structures. In certain cases also some restoration is needed, but anyway you should see the center with its shops and have a walk around. If you want a coffee or a snack I suggest you, before going to the elevator, stop in the bar downstairs, at the entrance of the lifts.
It is called bar ”Al Forte”, not so big, even if it has more space on the first floor, but the design is superb. Under the ceiling made of ancient stones, there is a modern setting with mirrors, a big screen that is used to shows images about Aosta Valley. The staff is very kind and the quality of the drinks is good. You can seat and have a break or just recover all your energy to start your journey into the fortress.