Aosta Valley antiquities in studies between 19th and 20th centuries: research and disclosure, knowledge
and enhancement of a systemic heritage
Cultural heritage’s amplification and awareness have always had a pioneering tradition in Valle d’Aosta.
Classical remains and mediaeval evidence lead there archaeologists, historians and cultured tourists to
document the ruins, as well as inspiring painters, engravers and vedutists who often printed their works on
this subject. Many of these reconnaissances were published in organic books, addressed to general public
or to a more specialized one: renowned works in this sense were those made by Carlo Promis (Le antichità
di Aosta, 1862), Alfredo d’Andrade (Relazione dell’Ufficio Regionale per la conservazione dei Monumenti del
Piemonte e della Liguria, 1899) and Pietro Barocelli (Forma Italiae. Augusta Praetoia, 1948).
This contribution aims to analyze these equally scientific and popular tools, highlighting innovations in
communication’s field about Heritage in relation to its conservation.