The small village of Jovençan is located in the wonderful setting of the central plain, surrounded by enchanted apple orchards and vineyards, where you will discover some treasures of a still living past. It is one of the smallest villages of the region and it recalls its glorious past when it was the capital of an ancient population, the Salassi. Still rich in traditions and country culture, it is today one of the most beautiful and characteristic corners in the heart of Europe, with a wild and fascinating landscape. Jovençan lies on the right bank of Dora Baltea river. Half is developed on the alluvial plain of this river, a wonderful garden a few minutes’ walk from Aosta, and half in the mountainous area, covered with colourful woods, between Pila and Ozein, reaching more than 2000 meters above sea level.
Nowadays, the main activity of the area is the cultivation of fruit trees and particularly of apples such as “Reinette”, “Golden”, “Starking” and pears “Martin Sec” or “Kaiser” . Viticulture, which develops between 550 and 850 meters above sea level, is another rising activity in this area: mostly used is the “Petit rouge”, a typical local grapevine, as well as Gamay and Pinot Noir. Breeding of cattle and sheep is also reflourishing, not only to produce milk , butter and cheese but also to keep alive the tradition of the “Bataille des Reines” and the “Bataille des chevre”, a battle between two cows or two goats. This is a very popular tradition and is practiced in the traditional sport “rebatta”.
In order to strengthen cultural ties and ethnic-linguistic peculiarity, the municipality of Jovençan is, since 2002, twinned with the small town of Ploneis, in the north-west of France. Inhabited since Roman times (and called “Juventius”), Jovençan has been able to maintain a rural character and authenticity, keeping its history, traditions and culture while managing progress, without giving up its identity and own traditions. Noteworthy is the promontory of Châtelair, which according to legend was the place where stood Cordele (Cordelia), the capital of the ancient people “Salassi”- the inhabitants of the Aosta Valley before the arrival of the Romans. Here rises the Tower of Salassi, the basement of the Castle of Tyrants and the church of Saint-George-en-Châtelair. Dating from the thirteenth century and the now the object of a partial renovation, thanks to the city administration, the Castle of Tyrants had been razed to the ground by the Count of Savoy in the sixteenth century. Not far from Jovençan are to be find important monuments, such as the Castles of Aymavilles, Sarre, Saint-Pierre and Gressan, but also the house of Saint Anselm of Aosta. We must not forget to mention the Roman bridge-aqueduct Pont d’Aël, in Aymavilles, which is considered to be one of the largest civil engineering projects carried out by the Romans in the Alps.
Jovençan, a small town rich in authenticity
Population: 613
Surface area: 6,99 kmq
Altitude: 632 m above sea level
Name of the population: Dzoençaen, Jovençannais (Jovençois)
Patron: Sant’Orso, 1st February
Nearest towns: Aymavilles, Sarre, Gressan
Km from Aosta: 5 km
Twin municipality: Plonèis (Bretagne-France)
