Levanto Castle, Levanto, Italy

The Castle of Levanto used to be part of the former defensive system of Levanto, the city walls, dating back to the 12th century, when the region was under the rule of the Malaspina family. The castle and the walls have been repeatedly mentioned in sundry historical documents, such that what is certain is the caste was extensively renovated during the 16th century. During the 17th century, the edifice was used as headquarters of the Captaincy of Levanto, but it was also used as prison under the rule of the Genovese.

Architecturally speaking, the castle consists of a square-based structure and an imposing circular tower. There are all sorts of decorative motifs which embellish the complex, of which the most notable are the ones reminiscent of the historical conflict between the Guelphs and the Ghibellines, as well as two bas-reliefs: one depicting the Annunciation and the other rendering Saint George defeating the Dragon.

Despite the fact the castle is at present a private property, it is a notable tourist sight in Levanto no visitor of Cinque Terre should miss out.

References:

cinque-terre-tourism.com

Wieskirche

The Pilgrimage Church of Wies (Wieskirche) is an oval rococo church, designed in the late 1740s by Dominikus Zimmermann. It is located in the foothills of the Alps in the municipality of Steingaden.

The sanctuary of Wies is a pilgrimage church extraordinarily well-preserved in the beautiful setting of an Alpine valley, and is a perfect masterpiece of Rococo art and creative genius, as well as an exceptional testimony to a civilization that has disappeared.

The hamlet of Wies, in 1738, is said to have been the setting of a miracle in which tears were seen on a simple wooden figure of Christ mounted on a column that was no longer venerated by the Premonstratensian monks of the Abbey. A wooden chapel constructed in the fields housed the miraculous statue for some time. However, pilgrims from Germany, Austria, Bohemia, and even Italy became so numerous that the Abbot of the Premonstratensians of Steingaden decided to construct a splendid sanctuary.

Jan Wissing (2 years ago)
Looks exiting from a distance. When we came closer, it was a private property. No entrance!

Simone Bova (6 years ago)
Old and impressive

Carlos Alberto Granda Camacho (6 years ago)
Nice

Denise Kathryn Lindsay (7 years ago)
Easy walk up the hill. We couldn't go in. Possibly just temporary construction? The outside is worth a look and some pictures, though, as it is not far from town. Only about a 10 minute walk from the center.

Levanto Castle

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Wieskirche