Visconti Castle (Vogogna)

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Visconti Castle (Vogogna)
Castello Visconteo di Vogogna
Vogogna, Piedmont, Northern Italy
Vogogna Veduta Castello 05.JPG
Northern side
Italy North location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Visconti Castle (Vogogna)
Coordinates 46°00′28″N8°17′45″E / 46.00778°N 8.29583°E / 46.00778; 8.29583 Coordinates: 46°00′28″N8°17′45″E / 46.00778°N 8.29583°E / 46.00778; 8.29583
Type Medieval castle
Site information
OwnerMunicipality of Vogogna
Open to
the public
Yes
ConditionGood
Site history
Built15th century
Built by Filippo Maria Visconti
Materials Stone

The Visconti Castle of Vogogna is a medieval stone-made castle in Vogogna, Piedmont, Northern Italy. It was built in the 14th century by the Visconti, lords and dukes of Milan. [1]

Contents

Location

The town of Vogogna is in the middle of Val d'Ossola. Since the Early Middle Ages, a fortification (Vogogna Rocca) existed on the valley's slopes, some hundred meters up from Vogogna. The castle stands on the higher border of the town, in a position where the path leading to the Vogogna Rocca starts. [2]

History

Since the erection of the Vogogna Rocca, probably a rampart defended the path that led to it from the site of the current castle. Here, a rectangular tower controlled the way's access. In the 14th century, the Visconti of Milan built the present castle. A long body, parallel to the way to the Rocca, was added to the west of the rectangular tower. At the end of the new body, toward the town, an imposing semicircular tower was erected. Along the southern side, a fortified wedge-shaped parade ground was added. [3]

Castle ground plan, entrance door, and other architectural details Fig 137, 137a, 137b, 137c, castello di vogogna, pianta nei sec dal XIII al XV, p218, dis Nigra, giugno 1936, nigra il novarese.jpg
Castle ground plan, entrance door, and other architectural details

In 1446, Filippo Maria Visconti granted the castle and its territory to his treasurer Vitaliano Borromeo, a banker of Tuscan descent. In 1487, the Sforza confirmed it to the Borromeo family. For about three centuries, it remained almost continuously among their possessions. [5] In 1515, Swiss troops, supported by men from the upper Val d'Ossola, occupied and damaged the castle. [6]

In 1797, the castle passed into French hands during the Napoleonic era and then became municipal property. The tower was used as a prison, while the rest of the building as a dwelling and warehouse. In the 20th century, the Vogogna municipality gave increasing attention to the historical importance of the castle. The first restorations date back to 1927. They were completed in 2001. [3] [6]

Today

The castle is open to visitors. It can be reached from the center of Vogogna through its characteristic small streets. The path to the Vogogna Rocca starts along the northern side of the castle. [7]

The tower of the castle seen from a street of Vogogna Vogogna 004.JPG
The tower of the castle seen from a street of Vogogna

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