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| Fort De Bard |
Our next day was relaxing staying in Ivrea (Original home of Olivetti typewriters )
and just doing some sightseeing.
The castle/fort we visited was
the backdrop for the movie Avengers – Age of Ultron filmed just recently.
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| Age of Ultron |
The early fort was built and developed its claim to fame by
withstanding first a 14 day attack by Napoleon in 1800 and then a siege which
lasted until June 1st. Eventually it would fall and Napoleon destroyed the castle
terming it the “villaneous castle de bard” because it was so formidable he did
not want to have to conquer it again.
A few features were the enclosed staircases to protect
soldiers movements, and for tourists now a 4 stage funicular which is free to
ride and get a great view of the Aosta valley.
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| Enclosed Stairs for soldiers |
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| Fenicular |
After Napoleon’s fall the Fort was re-built between 1831-
1838 by the Savoy’s and eventually fell into dis-repair until the late 20th
century when it was restored again. It hosts many exhibitions and concerts in
summer.
Similar in nature to Entreavaux in France, this
Fort controlled access to the Aosta valley and was therefore a point where a
travel tax could be collected for anyone wanting to move goods across the Alps
and of course to defend access.
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| Aosta Valley |
On our way back Sandra said to stop at a Suzuki car dealer since she saw a neat sports car in a window. We did stop and were captured by an eclectic collection of personal cars owned by the dealer.
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Original Audi Quattro dating from 1980, notice the styling to the VW Scirroco of the same era our son had a 1981 Scirroco gifted to him by his aunt.
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The History of Suzuki - Coincidentally I drive an Audi quattro (a5), and ride a Suzuki V Strom
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| A Beautiful MG, for Brit car lovers |
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