Verrès Castle, Verrès, Italy

Verrès Castle has been called one of the most impressive buildings from the Middle Ages in the Aosta Valley. Built as a military fortress by Yblet de Challant in the 14th century, it was one of the first examples of a castle constructed as a single structure rather than as a series of buildings enclosed in a circuit wall. The castle stands on a rocky promonitory on the opposite side of the Dora Baltea from Issogne Castle. The castle dominates the town of Verrès and the access to the Val d'Ayas. From the outside it looks like an austere cube, thirty metres long on each side and practically free of decorative elements.

History

The earliest documents attesting the existence of a castle at Verrès date to 1287. At that time, control of the area was contested between the Bishop of Aosta and some noble families which were vassals of the Counts of Savoy.

Around the middle of the 14th century, the De Verretio became extinct without leaving any possible heirs, so their property came into the possession of the counts of Savoy, who granted it to Yblet de Challant in 1372 as a reward for diverse duties discharged in their service.

Yblet entirely rebuilt the castle, producing a fortress that was practically impenetrable and distinct from most of the contemporary castles of the region which consisted of a number of buildings surrounded by a circuit wall.

In 1536 the fortress was renovated to take account of the appearance of firearms. The base of the cubic structure was surrounded by a circuit wall with counterforts and polygonal turrets, adapted to cope with cannons and equipped with pieces of artillery. The cannons were brought from Switzerland.

Hovewere, Verrès was abandoned in 1661 after the powerful Fort Bard was built. After a series of transfers it was finally acquired in 1894 by the Italian state which carried out restoration work.

In 2004 the castle was closed to allow strengthening and adjustment of the structure. Since then was reopened and has been open to guided tours.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Marcin S. (3 months ago)
I didn't go in but looks super cool from outside! There are also great views and hiking around it!

Jesse R (6 months ago)
Awesome to see while passing through the Aosta valley. One of many battlements along the way!

Jarrod Hunt (9 months ago)
Lovely walk up the cobblestone path to get to the building, nicer little walk around the yard outside, but once you get inside, it's another story. Every room is dead empty, no furniture, no signs, just polished concrete floors (a very odd choice) and big rooms full of air. It's a real shame as we had just come from Fenis castle which is miles and miles better than this one!

Bistra Belcheva (17 months ago)
Wonderful building! Very carefully restored. I am amazed about the architectural skills of the builders-every fortifying detail is well done and with thought! Unfortunately in every castle in the region there is only tour guides in italian, which is a strange decision..

hike&bike Italy (3 years ago)
Originally a military outpost then abandouned and restored. Every stone tells a story, traps, walls, loopholes, battlements. Absolutely fascinating. The walk up to the Castle is demanding but it's an important part of the visit. It helps you understand how impregnable the Castle was. Only guided tours.

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