Aosta · Italy

Croix de Ville

You are standing upon the decumanus maximus, the principal street of the Roman city, which for two thousand years has run straight from one gate to the other. The cross that gives the place its name marks the crossing with the cardo, the other axis: the exact point at which the Romans, in founding the city, drew the two lines from which all the rest descended. Every block, every house, every corner of Aosta derives from this junction. The shop signs have altered many times. The geometry beneath your feet has never altered.

Go deeper

What are the cardo and decumanus?

The two axes at right angles on which the Romans set out a new city: the decumanus running east to west, the cardo north to south. Everything was measured from where they met.

Is the cross old?

The monument you see is far later than the Roman layout: street crosses are a medieval and modern custom, often remade over the centuries.

Where does this street lead?

East towards the Porta Praetoria and the Arch of Augustus, west towards the Porta Decumana. It is still the commercial spine of the centre.

Where it is

Via Croix-de-Ville 89, 11100 Aosta · 45.73782, 7.31631 · Open in Maps

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