Angera Castle

Angera Castle, locally known as Rocca di Angera or Rocca Borromea di Angera, lies in the town of the same name, in the Varese province in the Lombardy region in Italy.

Angera Castle, situated on a limestone spur on the east bank of the Lake Maggiore, was built by the Visconti family from Milan during the 11th century. Together with its counterpart; Arona Castle, on the opposite side of the lake, built just some decades earlier, it controlled the area and the lake.

During the 13th century the castle was besieged and taken several times by the Della Torre family, which damaged it considerably. After the Battle of Desio in 1277 they finally lost it again to the Viscontis. The current appearance of the castle dates back to building phases during the 13th and 14th centuries.

The Borromeo family acquired Angera Castle in 1447 and set to expand and refurbish it over the next centuries until the present day. It suffered from a bombardment during WW II.

Angera Castle can be visited for a fee. A great castle with a marvelous Hall of Justice decorated with 13th century frescoes illustrating events related to the life of Archbishop Ottone Visconti, especially his victory over the Della Torres in 1277. Recommended!

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