Savignone Castle, Savignone, Italy

Savignone Castle has a semi-circular great tower and rear rampart, and its position on a conglomerate spur that presents a cliff of 150 metres on one side is its main natural defence. In the 13th century the Fieschis took possession of Savignone and its castle, which only seemed to be lived in during the summer. The fief was certainly a feather in the cap of this lineage because its position in the Scrivia Valley was excellent for connection between Genoa and the Po area and also for the importance it had acquired in time as a traffic area.

The Fieschis, who had this fief in its power, belonged to the so-called Savignone lineage, one of the two lines that were formed by the two sons of Ugo Fieschi, the founder of the strain. Some other people, who were important not just for Fieschi’s history but also for Genoa and Italy, can also be counted among them. In 1332 Raffaello Fieschi was in contact with Robert of Anjou, from which he obtained some galleys. He took on the role of ambassador several times and seems to have been the person who poisoned Boccanegra.

The 14th century saw the castle pass to different owners among which Andronico Botta and Antoniotto Adorno until the arrival of Obietto Fieschi, who re-acquired it and then lost it again, together with Torriglia. They are complicated years for the relationships in the lineage, in constant conflict with the Sforzas who longed for the property until they managed to obtain Savignone and Montoggio, the main estates. It was Gian Luigi Fieschi the great who ousted the Milanese from the valley, giving such continuity to his dominion that it passed into history with the name of the “Fieschi state”.

The story from now onwards interweaves with the ambitions of the members of the Fieschi family as to Genoa, events that end with the famous conspiracy of 1547 and the resulting siege of Montoggio which, even though not having the same consequences for the Savignone line as for all the other family members, just the same caused its general decline or at least exclusion from the role of characters in the history of Genoa and the Scrivia Valley as it had been during the previous two centuries.

References:

liguriaheritage.it

User Reviews

Daniele Musso (11 months ago)
Ruins in a beautiful panoramic position ... The Red Castle is a medieval fortress built by the people of Tortona on a spur of pudding stone overlooking the town of Savignone . Over the centuries it has changed hands among numerous noble families, among which the best known was that of the Fieschis. It can be reached with a simple 15-minute walk on a path from the center of the village, with a difference in height of 150 metres. The fortress is partially in ruins and cannot be visited inside. However, the beautiful southern tower remains standing. From the castle you can enjoy a beautiful view of Savignone and the Valle Scrivia below.

gino vavalle (2 years ago)
The charm of the ruins of Savignone castle is undeniable, it lies so integrated into the surrounding nature that it is almost difficult to see the gray walls from a distance. The structure is made up of two bodies, the semicircular tower and the backward bastion upstream, and its position on a spur of conglomerate which has a 150-metre overhang on one side, constitutes its main natural defence. In the 13th century, it is not known how, the Fieschis appropriated Savignone and its castle, transforming it into a fortified residence, where in reality they seemed to stay only in the summer.

Stefano 29 (2 years ago)
Subject of a long history of the late Middle Ages, a very suggestive castle but worth visiting

channel max (3 years ago)
They are the ruins of an ancient castle (probably dating back to the 12th century) with assaults and sieges in its long history. Several noble families owned it (especially the Fieschi ...) and, in the seventeenth century, it was also a den of brigands. The remains of towers, walls and undergrounds built in the rock remain. It is located on a rocky ridge, high above the town of Savignone and can be reached in 15/20 minutes on a path that is sometimes steep (the most demanding stretch is the one after a small chapel ..), which starts from Savignone. Restored and secured, it is not currently open to the public (the door was closed ...). Gorgeous panorama.

Samuele Ermoli (3 years ago)
The castle is in a dominant position over the surrounding valley. The surrounding rocky landscape is also spectacular. Unfortunately, the main door of the castle is closed .... but .. around the corner .. Let's say it's a real shame, since it seems to have also been secured with various anti-fall grates and handrails .. Still worth the walk.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Roman Moško

Historic Site of the week

Trencín Castle

Trenčín Castle is relatively large renovated castle, towering on a steep limestone cliff directly above the city of Trenčín. It is a dominant feature not only of Trenčín, but also of the entire Považie region. The castle is a national monument.

History of the castle cliff dates back to the Roman Empire, what is proved by the inscription on the castle cliff proclaiming the victory of Roman legion against Germans in the year 179.

Today’s castle was probably built on the hill-fort. The first proven building on the hill was the Great Moravian rotunda from the 9th century and later there was a stone residential tower, which served to protect the Kingdom of Hungary and the western border. In the late 13th century the castle became a property of Palatine Matúš Csák, who became Mr. of Váh and Tatras.

Matúš Csák of Trenčín built a tower, still known as Matthew’s, which is a dominant determinant of the whole building.

Savignone Castle

Address

Details

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historical Gems of Costa Verde

Historic Site of the week

Trencín Castle