Graines Castle

Introduction

The Castle of Graines is an imposing medieval fortress located in the Ayas Valley in the Aosta Valley region of Italy. This ancient castle, dating back to the 13th century, stands majestically on a rocky promontory, offering a spectacular view of the surrounding valleys and the majestic peaks of the Alps.
Its imposing stone walls and medieval towers are witnesses to its past rich in history and adventure. Graines Castle played a significant role in the control and defence of the valley during the Middle Ages, and its striking architecture captures the imagination of those who visit.
Today, Graines Castle is an important tourist attraction in the region, attracting visitors with its ancient atmosphere and breathtaking panoramic views. History buffs and nature lovers will find here an unmissable stop on their journey through the beauty of the Aosta Valley.

Description

The landscape setting

The castle of Graines, dominates Brusson from the top of the only rocky promontory, which seems to have been created specifically for its housing. The merit of this castle, with its very simple architectural layout, lies in the beautiful landscape created by its construction. In fact, near the place where it stands, the valley becomes gentler and one can admire pastures and forests rich in vegetation. The presence in this natural setting of a rocky spur (surmounted by the old castle) gives the whole an unusual appearance. Moreover, it is pleasant to admire the contrast between the harshness of the castle and the gentleness of the landscape, which softens the warlike construction. 

The strategic location

 The castle, situated on the edge of a precipice, enjoyed an ideal defensive position. Moreover, through the Bonot tower ([[Challand-Saint-Victor]]), it could communicate with the castle of Villa (Challand-Saint-Victor) and with the valley floor. In fact, it is worth remembering that all castles were situated in such a way as to communicate visually with each other by means of mirrors or flags, or with fires or sounds. When two fortresses were not directly visible, intermediate towers were built to complete the communication network. In any case, the castle of Graines was essentially built to perform a control function over the rich surrounding fief and was only involved in military operations on the occasion of family disputes. An example of this is the conflict in the mid-15th century between Catherine de Challant and Pierre d'Introd against the Duke of Savoy. It was precisely that occasion that required the creation of additional fortifications. 

The origins of the castle and fief

 The fief of Graines, which is one of the oldest, originally included Ayas, Brusson, one third of the territory of Challant and two thirds of Gressoney. It dates back to the 6th century and more precisely to 515, the year in which Sigismund (king of the Burgundians), to commemorate the martyrs of the Theban legion, founded the abbey of Saint-Maurice d'Agaune in the Valais. Furthermore, to guarantee the monks a steady income, he gave them several estates including the fief of Graines. The latter was vast, densely populated, possessed very fertile land and derived much wealth from the exploitation of its mines. The Mauritians, in order to control their possessions, built the castle, which may date back to the end of the 11th century. However, the first document in which it is mentioned is the feudal homage of 1263. In that year, the monks ceded the rights of the fief to Challant in a series of investitures that lasted until 1727. The reasons for this decision are to be found in the new political balances that had been established in Valle d'Aosta, but also in the difficulty of managing the feud due to its remoteness. With the decline of the investiture, starting in 1727, the castle was abandoned and over time was reduced to the state of a ruin. Fortunately, in the early 20th century, D'Andrade, aided by several collaborators including Giacosa, prevented its complete ruin. 

Architectural description

 D'Andrade's restoration has ensured that the main buildings of the complex are still standing today. Thanks to his intervention, the original building typology can still be identified today. This compositional clarity is also made possible by the fact that the castle has not undergone any remodelling over time that has distorted its original typology. The castle belongs to the classic category of the castle enclosure, consisting of a central body protected by walls. In the case of Graines, the walls are interrupted at the precipice and the mighty square tower (donjon) stands on the rock inside. The tower measures about 6 metres on a side and has a strong scarp, probably added later, to protect against mines. At one time, to attack the towers, a method known as the 'mine' was in use: this system, very different from today's systems that have retained the name, achieved a similar result, i.e. an immediate collapse of the construction. Those launching the attack dug under the walls, which were propped up with wooden stakes; when the excavation was deep enough, the stakes were set on fire, which burnt and caused the structure to completely collapse. The donjon has, just below the roof, two large square openings in each façade. They form a crenellation covered by a roof with a wooden structure and a covering of stone slates. The only entrance is located on the west side at a height of several metres and is surmounted by a lintel with a blind arch. Internally, the tower was distributed over at least three floors divided by wooden floors that rested directly on the perimeter wall, which narrowed on the higher floors. Later, a rectangular building was annexed to the tower for residential purposes. The entrance (a gallery) was located a few metres above the ground and was reached by a stone staircase. From there there was probably a staircase to access the tower. A barrel-vaulted cistern was built into the ground. Nearby, to the south, is the chapel, of which only the perimeter structure without the main roof remains today. The religious building is certainly the oldest in the fortified complex; of typically Romanesque layout, it was already mentioned in 1100. The church has a single nave of about 8 metres with a semicircular apse, covered by a wooden roof with a covering of stone slates. On the main façade, the entrance is surmounted by a round arch and a round opening above. On its top rests a pleasant small bell tower that 'softens' the ancient stone masonry construction. The main roof must have been gabled with a wooden structure and a covering of stone slate. The church was lit by five single-lancet windows, three in the apse and two on the south side. The apse is decorated externally with blind arches and pilasters. At the entrance, due to the lay of the land, there is only a very small plateau. The entrance to the entire fortified structure is located on the west side and is preceded by a forepart built later for defensive purposes. Also to the west, leaning against the perimeter wall, there must have been other buildings, of which only a few remains remain today. It is therefore not possible to deduce their purpose. In the perimeter wall, it is possible to identify superelevations, all of which had a patrol walk and ended with Guelph battlements.