Donnas

Donnas is a historic town situated at an elevation of 322 metres in the lower Aosta Valley, near the border with the Piedmont region. The town lies in a narrow gorge carved by the Dora Baltea river, flanked by steep, terraced mountain slopes covered in vineyards.

Donnas is famous for its extraordinary Roman heritage. It preserves one of the most spectacular sections of the Via delle Gallie, the ancient Roman consular road built to connect Rome with Gaul. Here, Roman engineers carved the road directly into the sheer rock face of the mountain, leaving behind a monumental stone arch and a milestone.

Historically, Donnas was also a key medieval transit town. The historic village centre features narrow streets, medieval archways, and noble houses. Economically, the town is renowned for its viticulture, producing the Donnas DOC, a prestigious red wine made primarily from Nebbiolo grapes grown on steep, terraced vineyards supported by dry-stone walls.

By Plane

The nearest major airport is Turin Airport (TRN), located approximately 70 km south (about 50 minutes by car via the A5 Autostrada). Milan Malpensa (MXP) is about 120 km east.

By Train

Donnas has its own railway station on the Aosta-Ivrea-Turin line. Regional trains stop regularly, connecting Donnas to Ivrea and Aosta.

By Car / Road

Donnas is located along the SS26 state road. It is easily reached via the A5 Autostrada, taking the Pont-Saint-Martin exit (2 km north) or the Verrès exit (10 km south).

The historic village of Donnas and the Roman road section are easily explored on foot. A car or bicycle is recommended for visiting the terraced vineyards, nearby castles, and adjacent towns.

• The Roman Road (Strada Romana delle Gallie): A breathtaking archaeological site where the Roman road was carved into the rock for a length of 221 metres. The site includes a monumental Roman arch (4 metres high) carved from the living rock and a Roman milestone marking the distance to Aosta (XXV miles).

• The Medieval Village (Borgo di Donnas): The historic centre featuring narrow, cobblestone streets, 15th-century frescoes, and noble residences such as the Palazzo Enrielli.

• Museo della Vite e del Vino (Museum of Vine and Wine): Located in the town centre, this museum documents the history of heroic viticulture in the lower valley and the traditional tools used for winemaking.

• Wine Tasting: Visit the Caves Coopératives de Donnas to taste the local Nebbiolo-based red wines, which were the first in the Aosta Valley to receive the DOC designation in 1971.

• Hiking the Vineyards: Walk the Sentiero dei Vigneti (Path of the Vineyards), a scenic trail that winds through the steep, terraced vineyards, offering beautiful views of the valley and the Dora Baltea.

• Festa dell'Uva (Grape Festival): Held in September, celebrating the grape harvest with wine tastings, traditional food, and music.

• Trattoria da Riccardo (Via Roma 91): A popular local trattoria serving traditional Valdostan and Piedmontese dishes, including hand-rolled pasta, polenta, and local cured meats.
• Caves de Donnas Restaurant: Offers wine-pairing menus featuring local specialties.

• Donnas DOC: A Nebbiolo-dominant red wine, perfect with roasted meats and aged cheeses.
• Grappa di Donnas: A strong, aromatic spirit distilled from the local Nebbiolo grape pomace.

• Budget: > TODO:
• Mid-range: Albergo Le Cœur du Pont (located in neighboring Pont-Saint-Martin, 2 km away) offers comfortable rooms and a restaurant serving regional food.
• Upscale / heritage: > TODO:

• Donnas DOC Wine: A robust, elegant red wine, excellent for aging.
• Chestnuts and Honey: The surrounding forests produce high-quality sweet chestnuts and dark forest honey.
• Traditional Crafts: Handcrafted wooden items and copper cookware.

• Pont-Saint-Martin: Famous for its monumental Roman bridge, located 2 km north.
• Bard: Home to the imposing Fort Bard and its museums, located 3 km north.
• Verrès: Featuring a massive medieval castle, located 10 km north.