Official website for tourism in the Aosta Valley
The Bull issued by Innocent on the 12th May 1207 mentioned the parish church in Diémoz as a dependent of the Vicarage of Verrès. However, since 1665, Diémoz was entrusted to lay priests and under the direct dependence of the bishop.
The parish church of Diémoz was entirely renovated in 1804, however, a century later, in 1904, became too small to host the entire population and was extended. The bell-tower was also rebuilt.
The first historical document that mentions the parish of Verrayes is a Papal Bull by Pope Lucius III dated 7 May 1187, where the parishes depending on the collegiate of Sant’Orso in Aosta are listed.
The current church of Verrayes was built at the end of the 19th century. On the walls of the bell tower the traces of the old church are still visible. It was a very low building with three naves divided by large brick pillars. The main nave was covered in cross vaults divided up by protruding ribs. This Church was demolished in 1873 and was replaced by the current church, the plans for which are by the architect Lancia. In 1877 the building was completed and was consecrated by Monsignor Duc on 11th November 1887.
The chapel lies on a panoramic promontory to the west of the Marseiller hamlet.
Built during the first half of the XV century and consecrated on 4th May 1441, this chapel is one of the oldest in the municipality of Verrayes. It was commissioned by the Saluard family, coming from the French region of Tarentaise, who served the Seigneurs of Cly.
The frescoes decorating its entire walls were realised by the painter Giacomino d’Ivrea, a well-known artist of the epoch who painted many other churches in the Aosta Valley. In 1845, when some extension works were done, the frescoes were almost completely covered.
Thanks to some subsequent restoration works the majority of the original paintings were finally restored. They represent some of the most meaningful episodes of the Christianity, such as the Last Judgement, the Adoration of the Kings, the Massacre of the Innocents, the Flight into Egypt and Saint Michael Weighing Souls.
Close to the entrance there is a representation of the notary Saluard together with his wife and, in the door opening, a peasant with some tools in his hands.
Visit the chapel by booking with the “Open door churches” app: once you have downloaded the app you must register. When on site at the selected time, just frame a QR code to open the chapel door and to start the “narrator voice”, combined with a lighting system of the artistic details. At the end of the visit, the door closes automatically.
See the 360° image of the interior here
