Marne Castle

Marne Castle, locally known as Castello di Marne, lies in the village of the same name, in the Bergamo province in the Lombardy region in Italy.

The first fortification at this site; a rocky spur at the confluence of the Dordo stream and the Brembo river, was probably of Roman origin. The castle was first mentioned in the first half of the 14th century when it was acquired by the Avogadri family, who were supporters of the Guelphs. Later that century a Bartolomeo Colleoni took over ownership of the castle from the Avogadris. In 1398 it was expropriated by Giangaleazzo Visconti, Lord of Milan, after which the castle was looted and damaged.

In 1402 and 1403, during the factional struggles that raged in the Duchy of Milan and in the Venetian Republic, the castle suffered extensive damage due to attacks from the troops of Pandolfo Malatesta. Apparently Marne Castle was almost reduced to a ruin for in 1429 it was rebuilt after it was granted as a fief by the Venetian Republic to its original owners; the Avogadris. It was rebuilt on a grander scale than before and was connected to the city walls of the town.

At the beginning of the 18th century, at the time of the War of the Spanish succession, the castle suffered further devastation by the French and Germans.

In the late 19th century the castle was bought by the Colleoni Counts. They restored it and gave it its present appearance.

Marne Castle is still privately owned and used as a venue for events and weddings. It can only be visited as a guest of those occassions. As of October 2022 the castle is for sale for an undisclosed price. A nice castle.

Gallery