At Lignan, high in the Saint-Barthélemy valley, the regional astronomical observatory became in 2020 the first in Italy certified as a Starlight Stellar Park: the sky here is still dark enough to earn a title. Lower down, the town of 2,943 takes its name from the ninth Roman mile out of Aosta, ad nonum lapidem, and the final s is pronounced.
The Challant family built the castle on the promontory in 1350; in the old centre stands the so-called Pilate's castle, where legend has the Roman prefect stopping on his way into exile. In August pilgrims climb to the sanctuary of Cunéy, and the pastry shop sells baci di Nus, biscuits born from what is left after pressing walnut oil.
Castello di Nus · castello di Pilato · santuario di Cunéy and 1 more
24 places to stay · top rated: CasAda 9.6 · Casa Vacanze da Lino 9.6
Next up: Saint Hilary and the pilgrimage to Cunéy, Wednesday 13 January
Nearest airport: Torino Caselle, 69 km away
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📅 Every year, on 13 January
On 13 January Nus celebrates Saint Hilary of Poitiers; in the upper Saint-Barthélemy valley, instead, on 5 August pilgrims climb to the sanctuary of Cunéy, a destination since ancient times.
Castello di Nus The castle of the lords of Nus, who had to hand it over to the count of Savoy's envoys during the audiences. 
castello di Pilato The fortified house legend ties to Pontius Pilate: two hanging turrets and a walkway open to visitors. 
santuario di Cunéy At 2,656 metres, the sanctuary of Notre-Dame-des-Neiges: the first consecrated in 1659, this one in 1869. 
insediamento protostorico di Lignan Two Bronze Age hill forts above Nus, one with its entrance aligned to the summer solstice sunrise. Straight-line distances from the town centre. Tap a point to open its page.
The closest destinations covered by our editors, with straight-line distance.
Outside Nus, but an easy day trip away.
