Illasi Castle, Illasi, Italy

Illasi Castle was built in the 12th century. The structure, composed by a fortified palace and a single tower, surrounded by a wall, is extremely peculiar and almost unique in Europe. It is still unclear which lord built it. It already existed when the tyrant Ezzelino da Romano used it as a base for his wars.

Later it became one of the main strongholds during the domination of the Della Scala family, lords of Verona. It was besieged several times, and at the end of the 14th century it was burned by the troops of the Da Carrara family, lords of Padua. It was then conquered, like all the province of Verona, by the Republic of Venice.

In the 15th century its military function was impaired by the use of guns: after an easy conquest by Milanese troops, the Venetians decided to dismiss it. They gave it to the Pompei family, one of the few noble families of Verona always faithful to Venice and without sympathies for the rival Austrian Empire. The Pompei shortly used the castle as a residence.

Of the original structure only the gateway, a small tower, the remains of a chapel, two cisterns, the keep and 30meter high square tower remain.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Matteo Ceruti (6 years ago)
This beautiful castle is fascinatingly interesting for a nice visit to spend a great family holiday in the village. But unfortunately it is closed should restore it and abandoned. Beautiful vineyards. Here would roam the. Ghost of Paul Alboino a scale. Match a. Highly recommended billiards a. All tourists.

Edoardo Manzardo (6 years ago)
Medieval castle in a state of total abandonment for what I could see. Definitely difficult to reach as there are no marked trails leading to the castle. The road leading to the top of the hill where the castle is erected is white and narrow. Certainly interesting for bike rides, there is also a tracked bike path. Road lined with vines and excellent scenery.

Sebastian Hahn (6 years ago)
From far it looks pretty nice. Nice roads to walk along but you can not reach the castle itself.

Edoardo Bordoni (6 years ago)
Il posto è molto bello e panoramico, il castello però è in rovina e chiuso.. meriterebbe si essere restaurato e valorizzato per la sua storia

pinky pinky (6 years ago)
Non visitabile in rovina bella solo la passeggiata per arrivarci per il panorama

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Sigmaringen Castle

Sigmaringen Castle was first mentioned in the year 1077 in the chronicles of Petershausen monastery. The oldest parts of the castle are concealed beneath the alterations made during the 17th and the 19th centuries. The secret of the earliest settlement built on this defendable rock will never be fully revealed: large-scale excavation work would be necessary, which the extensive land development renders impossible. Judging from the many Roman remains unearthed in the area around Sigmaringen, the 12th century keep known as the 'Roman Tower' could be traced back to a Roman predecessor.

The castle remains that have been preserved (gate, great hall and keep) date back to the Staufer period around 1200. The castle remains were integrated into subsequent buildings. The foundations of the castle buildings are to a large extent identical to the surrounding castle wall.

These remains give us a good idea of how the castle might have looked during the 12th century.

Illasi Castle

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