The imposing outline of the Castle of Malgrà has been marking the outline of the town of Rivarolo since 1333, the year in which the Counts of San Martino began its construction. Built as a military presidium, it then became a welcoming noble mansion thanks to a series of important structural and decorative interventions, made possible by the peacetime which began in the 14th century.
The building originally included two separate parts and a tall defence tower, it was extended by adding a floor to the west wing and embellished by frescoes over the main entrance and under the small porch in the inner courtyard. At the beginning of the 17th century, ownership was transferred to the Gria family and subsequently to the Cortina of Favria family.
Large salons with ceilings decorated with flowers, now temporary exhibition rooms, were obtained in the north wing during the 17th century. Architect Boggio di San Giorgio designed the elegant staircase leading to the first-floor corridor, marked by round-arched windows overlooking the Canavese countryside.
Towards the end of the 19th century, thanks to the shrewd foresight of Countess Natalia Francesetti, the experienced Alfredo d’Andrade and his collaborator Carlo Nigra arrived at the Rivarolo castle in order to implement a grand and stylish refurbishment.
References:The Château de Foix dominates the town of Foix. An important tourist site, it is known as a centre of the Cathars. Built on an older 7th-century fortification, the castle is known from 987. In 1002, it was mentioned in the will of Roger I, Count of Carcassonne, who bequeathed the fortress to his youngest child, Bernard. In effect, the family ruling over the region were installed here which allowed them to control access to the upper Ariège valley and to keep surveillance from this strategic point over the lower land, protected behind impregnable walls.
In 1034, the castle became capital of the County of Foix and played a decisive role in medieval military history. During the two following centuries, the castle was home to Counts with shining personalities who became the soul of the Occitan resistance during the crusade against the Albigensians.