Masegra Castle

Sondrio, Italy

The imposing Masegra Castle was built in the Middle Ages and strategically positioned at the opening of the Valmalenco valley so it could easily control the access to the valley.

Since it was the property of the influential Salis family, it is the only castle in the town of Sondrio which wasn’t destroyed by the Grisons during their invasion of Valtellina in the 16th century.

As time went by, the castle lost its original defensive function and was converted from rough military outpost into an elegant residence more suited to a refined court, as testified by the frescoed rooms and beautiful loggias. Recently the castle’s stables have been converted into a historical museum, which gives visitors an in-depth look into aspects of life in Valtellina during the three centuries (1512-1797) of the Grisons’ occupation.

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Address

Salita Ligari 3, Sondrio, Italy
See all sites in Sondrio

Details

Founded: 15th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in Italy

More Information

www.in-lombardia.it

Rating

4.1/5 (based on Google user reviews)

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User Reviews

ald domenic (14 months ago)
Attualmente è deludente e "vuoto", inoltre, molte sale non sono accessibili.. per settembre 2019, dovrebbero terminare le opere di restauro e allestimento degli interni con sale multimediali.. Vedremo ... e se del caso, modificherò la recensione..
Vittorio Renato De Marzi (18 months ago)
Ballissimo
Nazario Capetti (2 years ago)
Il "Castel Masegra"é una delle "tappe obbligate"per chi visita Sondrio. Discreto e silenzioso, sulla collina, protegge la città. Già, ora purtroppo non più, sede di distretto militare.Compagno di dolci memorie e giovanili ardori.
Giulia Franceschi (2 years ago)
Dalla zona piú antica della città parte la passeggiata non faticosa in salita che porta fino al castello. La vista ê molto bella peccato che il castello fosse chiuso. Forse è aperto solo in estate, non siamo riuscite a capire perché non ci sono tante info nelle vicinanze
Guido Zucchi (2 years ago)
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Soave Castle

Soave castle was built in 934 to protect the area against the Hungarian invasions. It was remodelled by Cansignorio of the Scaliger family in the mid-1300s. in 1365 Cansignorio had the town walls erected and the Town hall was built in the same year.

The castle underwent various vicissitudes until, having lost its strategic importance, it was sold on the private market in 1596. In 1830 it was inherited by Giulio Camuzzoni who restored the manor and in particular the surroundings walls (with is twenty-four towers), the battlements and living-quarters.

Soave castle is a typical medieval military edifice, commanding the neighbourhood of the city from the Tenda Hill. It comprises a mastio (donjon) and three lines of walls forming three courts of different size. The outer line, with a gate and a draw bridge, is the most recent, built by the Venetians in the 15th century. It houses the remains of a small church from the 10th century.

The second and larger court, the first of the original castle, is called della Madonna for a fresco portraying St. Mary (1321). Another fresco is visible after the door leading to the inner court, and portrays a Scaliger soldier. The mastio is the most impressive feature of the castle. Bones found within showed it was used also as prison and place of torture.

The House called del Capitano (the Scaliger commander) houses Roman coins, weapons parts, medals and other ancient remains found during the most recent restoration. Adjacent is a bedroom with a 13th-century fresco with St. Mary and Madeleine and a dining room with medieval kitchenware. Another room houses the portraits of the most famous Scaliger figures: Mastino I, Cangrande, Cansignorio and Taddea da Carrara, wife of Mastino II; the portrait of Dante Alighieri testify an alleged sojourn of the poet in the castle.

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