Lonato Castle

Lonato Castle

Lonato Castle, locally known as Rocca di Lonato, lies next to the town of Lonato del Garda, in the Brescia province in the Lombardy region in Italy.

The castle was probably first built during the 10th century as a reaction to raids of Hungarians frequenting the area. It was first owned by the Counts of Montichiari and the Scaligeri before it came into possession of the Viscontis, who were Lords of Milan. Bernabò Visconti strenghtened it, connecting it to the town walls, in 1376.

During the 15th century it passed to the Gonzagas of Mantua, before passing to the Venetian Republic. Between 1509 and 1515 Lonato was returned to the Gonzagas in return for their aid to Venice against the League of Cambrai.

Lonato Castle was in a ruinous condition by 1610, but was restored in 1617. Only to be damaged again during the War of the Mantuan Succession in 1629.

In the 18th century the castle witnessed several battles beneath its walls. First, in 1705, there was a battle between an army of the Holy Roman Empire and a Gallo-Hispanic army. Then, in 1796, the French Army of Italy, led by Napoleon Bonaparte, and a column of the Austrian army fought out the Battle of Lonato. The Napoleonic victory of this and following battles marked the end of the Republic of Venice, after which the castle slowly but surely fell into decline because it had lost its strategic importance.

In 1827, the Austrian State, until then the owner of the structure, ceded Lonato Castle to private individuals. After having demolished the by then still existing barracks inside the castle's walls, they converted the interior and exterior to cultivated fields.

Ugo Da Como, an Italian politician, bought the castle in 1920. He restored the castle and a foundation carrying his name still owns and exploits the castle to this day.

The castle, which has been a purely military building, has a plan that follows the outline of the hill, guarding the historic center of the town. It consists of 2 parts; the lower, more elongated part was where the barracks were. The upper part was where the commander was housed.

Lonato Castle is now a museum and can be visited for a fee. It is also used for cultural events and is often used as a wedding venue. A mighty castle, really worth your visit.

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Lonato Castle

Lonato Castle

Lonato Castle, locally known as Rocca di Lonato, lies next to the town of Lonato del Garda, in the Brescia province in the Lombardy region in Italy.

The castle was probably first built during the 10th century as a reaction to raids of Hungarians frequenting the area. It was first owned by the Counts of Montichiari and the Scaligeri before it came into possession of the Viscontis, who were Lords of Milan. Bernabò Visconti strenghtened it, connecting it to the town walls, in 1376.

During the 15th century it passed to the Gonzagas of Mantua, before passing to the Venetian Republic. Between 1509 and 1515 Lonato was returned to the Gonzagas in return for their aid to Venice against the League of Cambrai.

Lonato Castle was in a ruinous condition by 1610, but was restored in 1617. Only to be damaged again during the War of the Mantuan Succession in 1629.

In the 18th century the castle witnessed several battles beneath its walls. First, in 1705, there was a battle between an army of the Holy Roman Empire and a Gallo-Hispanic army. Then, in 1796, the French Army of Italy, led by Napoleon Bonaparte, and a column of the Austrian army fought out the Battle of Lonato. The Napoleonic victory of this and following battles marked the end of the Republic of Venice, after which the castle slowly but surely fell into decline because it had lost its strategic importance.

In 1827, the Austrian State, until then the owner of the structure, ceded Lonato Castle to private individuals. After having demolished the by then still existing barracks inside the castle's walls, they converted the interior and exterior to cultivated fields.

Ugo Da Como, an Italian politician, bought the castle in 1920. He restored the castle and a foundation carrying his name still owns and exploits the castle to this day.

The castle, which has been a purely military building, has a plan that follows the outline of the hill, guarding the historic center of the town. It consists of 2 parts; the lower, more elongated part was where the barracks were. The upper part was where the commander was housed.

Lonato Castle is now a museum and can be visited for a fee. It is also used for cultural events and is often used as a wedding venue. A mighty castle, really worth your visit.

Gallery

Details
Hits: 1160