Medieval castle, Castello di Fenis is in the small town of Fenis about 13 km from Aosta centre of the Italian Autonomous region of Val d'aosta. This is one of the most famous castles of the valley – it is notable for its architecture, numerous towers and strong walls with loopholes. Because of this Castello di Fenis always enjoys popularity among tourists.

The first mention of the castle dates back to 1242, the year when it was the property of the viscounts of Aosta, family Challans. Probably at that time it was a simple tower surrounded by walls. And from 1320 to 1420-th years on the initiative of Aimone of Challans and his son Boniface I, the castle was significantly expanded and acquired its present appearance.

When Aimone Castello di Fenis received pentagonal shape, at the same time were built the outer defensive walls and many towers. In 1392, the year Boniface started the second construction campaign – then were built stairs and balconies in the courtyard and dungeon. He invited artist from Piedmont Giacomo Jakeria for painting the chapel and the walls of the inner courtyard. When Boniface castle has survived the period of its greatest prosperity – it was a magnificent building, surrounded by gardens, vineyards and a Park, where walking the lords and their guests.

Castello di Fenis belonged to the family of Challans until 1716, the year when one of the members of the genus, Georges Francois de Challans, was forced to sell the estate for debts. Thus began a period of decline of the castle – it turned into a typical rural residence, and later it housed the stables and the barn. Only in 1895, the year the castle was bought by the architect Alfredo d Andrade, on the initiative which started large-scale reconstruction of the structure. In 1935, the year De Vecchi and Mesturini again restored the castle and gave it its current appearance. In those same years, the rooms were furnished with antique furniture.

Today Castello de Fenis is owned by the Regional Council of Val d'aosta, which has turned it into a Museum. The main donjon of the castle has the shape of a Pentagon with towers at the corners. It is surrounded by a double defensive wall and close to the watch towers, connected by bridges. In spite of its fearsome appearance, the Castello di Fenis stands on top of a tiny hill, and not on the toe or any other available point, because the family Challans to build it not as a military fortress, but as his residence.

In the courtyard, in the center of the dungeon, you can see a semi-circular stone staircase and wooden balconies. On the top of the ladder placed fresco from the 15th century with the image of Saint George defeating the dragon, and the walls of the balconies are decorated with images of wise men and the Magi and the sayings of old French. The castle itself is divided into three levels: the first one was an Armory, a kitchen, a shed for storing firewood and cistern collecting rainwater. The second floor was given over to private quarters of the owners of the castle. There's also built a small chapel with frescoes by Giacomo Jakeria. Finally, on the third floor servants lived – today access is closed.