Heritage: Gignod

On the old road to Gran San Bernardo, the house-fort belonged to the ancient Archiery family that ruled the town along with the De Gignio family.

This building has been standing since at least 1409 but probably took on its current aspect at the end of the sixteenth century when taken over by the d’Avise lords. Antonio d’Avise had it renovated in 1596.

Some of the artistic windows are worthy of note.

Located in the hamlet of the same name and recently restored, the structure is not open to the public and has been used several times as an exhibition venue.

This square plan tower is situated in the south of the municipal seat and probably dates back to the 12th or 13th century.
Historical data are unknown.

The church dominates from an elevated position in the centre of town.
The parish of Gignod is mentioned in a Papal Bull by Alexander III from 1176. The current church appears to date no earlier than the XV century. Not only the architectural structure dates back to this period, but also certain precious frescoes discovered during restoration work in 1895. The bell-tower was built between 1481 and 1485 by a master mason in Gressoney, Yolli de Vuetto, who had just finished the bell-tower in the neighbouring village of Etroubles.
Worth noting, the fifteenth-century frescoes, including a deposition. A beautiful, stained glass window dating from the XVI century was originally located on the facade of the church, composed of the Lords of Avise’s crests of arms in a circle with four surrounding tondos depicting St. Ilario, the patron saint of the parish, St. Nicholas and St. Catherine. There is also an inscription that recalls the commissioners of the works, Stefano of Avise and his wife Pernette, who lived during the sixteenth century.