Overview
Apart from the Challant castles – some of which are in ruins – the most notable historical building in Val d'Ayas is the parish church in the main town, which was partially rebuilt in the first half of the 19th century, but retains its 15th-century square bell tower, with elegant single lancet windows at the height of the belfry, and, above all, six original half-height sculptures of saints from the early 16th century on the grandiose high altar. The altar itself, made in around 1710 by artists from Valsesia, is a masterpiece of carving painted with an abundance of gold, while the 16th-century predella with Christ and the apostles to the left of the choir is also noteworthy.
To the right of the parish church, its cemetery stands on a very scenic terrace, with a quadrangular-plan chapel commissioned in the late 15th century by the Challants: their coat of arms can be seen on a keystone inside it. A small
Museum of Sacred Art houses works recovered from chapels in the valley, including an 18th-century altar, wooden statues, processional crosses and liturgical objects.
Rue de l'Eglise, 17, 11020 Antagnod AO, Italia
