Aosta (anc. Augusta Pratoria), a town of Piedmont, in the province and 49 m. N. N. W. of Turin, on the Dora-Baltea, at the foot of the Great St. Bernard, and the southern termination of the Alpine pass of that name: pop. 6,000. It contains many Roman remains, and was the birthplace of Ansclm. archbishop of Canterbury, and the scene of the labors of St. Bernard, founder of the hospice bearing his name, who held the archdeacenry of Aosta. The valley in which it stands is famous for its immense pine forests, mines of copper, lead, and iron, and marble quarries. Cretinism and goitre prevail among its inhabitants. The third son of the king of Italy (Amadeus, late king of Spain) derives his title of duke of Aosta from this town, which has been greatly improved during the last 15 years.