Visconti Castle (Somma Lombardo)

Visconti Castle (Somma)
Castello Visconteo di Somma
Somma Lombardo
A detail of the front of the castle in a photo by Paolo Monti
Visconti Castle (Somma)
Visconti Castle (Somma)
Coordinates 45°41′11″N 8°42′16″E / 45.68639°N 8.70444°E / 45.68639; 8.70444Coordinates: 45°41′11″N 8°42′16″E / 45.68639°N 8.70444°E / 45.68639; 8.70444
Type Medieval castle
Site information
Condition Preserved
Site history
Built From 13th century

The Visconti Castle of Somma Lombardo is a medieval castle-palace in Somma Lombardo, Province of Varese, Region of Lombardy, Italy.

History

Buildings at the site date from the 9th century; a fortress, from the 13th century. In 1448, the brothers Francesco and Guido Visconti, took refuge in this town and castle from the forces of the Ambrosian Republic. They divided the landholdings and portions of the castle. The fortress has been amalgamated from adjacent residences, all once surrounded by a single moat. From the brother Francesco, who owned the newer portion of the castle, descend the Visconti di San Vito; while from Guido, who owned the lower and older portions of the castle, descend the Visconti di Modrone.[1]


The San Vito castle contains frescoes attributed to the school of Camillo Procaccini and an altarpice by Cerano. The castle also has an extensive collection of barber plates.[2]

Parts of the castle are used for private events and open for guided tours.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Beltrami, Luca (1907). Ville e castelli d'Italia: Lombardia e laghi (in Italian) (2 ed.). Edizione della "Tecnografica". p. 217.
  2. ↑ Percorsi castellani da Milano a Bellinzona - Guida ai castelli del ducato (PDF) (in Italian). Nexo, Castelli del ducato. 2012. pp. 98–103. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  3. ↑ Castello Visconti di San Vito official site.
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