Caltignaga Castle

Caltignaga Castle, locally known as Castello di Caltignaga, lies in the village of the same name, in the Novara province in the Piedmont region in Italy.

The first evidence of a castle at this site dates back to the beginning of the 11th century. The castle was badly damaged when it was taken by an army of free English mercenaries, called the White Company and led by the German Albert Sterz, around 1362-63.

In 1449, Francesco I Sforza, Duke of Milan, assigned the fief of Caltignaga to the Caccia family from Novara. They held the castle, except for some interruptions, until 1724. The Caccias had the castle enlarged and remodeled. In 1524 the castle was attacked and taken by the French army of General Bonnivet, after which it was set on fire. It was subsequently rebuilt. During the remainder of the 16th century the castle lost its military function and became a noble residence.

The Faà di Bruno family bought Caltignaga in 1774 and it now belongs to their descendants; the Ferrari-Ardicini and Sella families.

Caltignaga Castle is private property and used as a residence. It can not be visited. A nice small rural castle.

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