The imposing Castle of Gabiano, one of the largest and oldest in the Monferrato area, stands in a dominant position on the Po valley. Always a place of important economic and strategic importance, the manor has been the protagonist of sieges and wars. The first historical documents regarding the castle date back to the seventh century. In 1164 Frederick I granted the feudal investiture to William II of Monferrato. The fief passed to the Montiglio family, then to Ferdinando Gonzaga and then to Ferdinando di Mantova, who ceded it to Agostino Durazzo Pallavicini in 1622 granting him the title of Marquis of Gabiano.
In 1908 he began the restoration of the castle, completed by the Marquess Matilde Durazzo Pallavicini, becoming subsequently the seat of an important cultural and oenological activity under the impetus of the Marquess Carlotta Cattaneo Adorno.
Today the work is continued by the current owners, who after a careful restructuring respectful of history and the environment continue the work of high quality wine production with passion and determination. The Castle opens its rooms for lovers of stays devoted to charm and elegance: recently restored, furnished and enriched with modern comforts, the suites have a living room with fireplace, kitchenette and rooms with four-poster beds, with magnificent views on the castle and on the landscape. Outside, among Italian gardens and walls with ancient history, a swimming pool to relax and an ancient park where you can get lost in the romantic paths.
In the heart of the park there is also a labyrinth, historical monument, among the very few documented historical Piedmontese gardens, designed in the '1930s by architect Lamberto Cusani.The strong oenological tradition of the territory finds one of its main protagonists in the Castello winery. The wine matures in the cellars dating back to 1200, where one of the oldest Italian DOC stands out: the Gabiano Riserva 'A Matilde Giustiniani', obtained from the bunches of a vineyard that the Princess herself had started.
At the Emporio del Castello you can buy the selections and reserves of the wines produced here, while a few steps away the tasting room is the perfect location for thematic tasting itineraries.
References:Goryōkaku (五稜郭) (literally, 'five-point fort') is a star fort in the Japanese city of Hakodate on the island of Hokkaido. The fortress was completed in 1866. It was the main fortress of the short-lived Republic of Ezo.
Goryōkaku was designed in 1855 by Takeda Ayasaburō and Jules Brunet. Their plans was based on the work of the French architect Vauban. The fortress was completed in 1866, two years before the collapse of the Tokugawa Shogunate. It is shaped like a five-pointed star. This allowed for greater numbers of gun emplacements on its walls than a traditional Japanese fortress, and reduced the number of blind spots where a cannon could not fire.
The fort was built by the Tokugawa shogunate to protect the Tsugaru Strait against a possible invasion by the Meiji government.
Goryōkaku is famous as the site of the last battle of the Boshin War.