Palazzolo Castle

Palazzolo Castle

Palazzolo Castle, locally more commonly known as Rocha Magna or Castello di Palazzolo sull'Oglio, lies in the city of Palazzolo sull'Oglio, in the Brescia province in the Lombardy region in Italy.

Palazzolo Castle was built between the 9th and 10th century, guarding an old Roman bridge over the river Oglio. It was inserted in the system of fortifications which defended the castrum of Palatioli.

In 1316, during the wars between the Guelphs and the Ghibellines, factions who were supporting the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor respectively, Brescian Ghibellines locked themselves up in the castle of Palazzolo. The chasing Guelphs then successfully besieged the castle. The town and castle were conquered by the Visconti Lord of Milan in 1337.

The Venetians incorporated the town into their republic in 1428 and subsequently restored the castle in 1432. In 1441 the Visconti troops commanded by Niccolò Piccinino conquered the town, bombing the castle which surrendered after a few days. Apparently, in 1448, the people of Palazzolo asked to have the castle as a gift to be able to raze it, considering the huge expenses necessary for its maintenance. The Venetians finally ceded Palazzolo Castle to the municipality in 1517, after it had lost its strategic importance.

The castle consists of a trapezoidal circuit wall built out of river pebbles, with 3 circular towers, called 'Mirabella', 'Ruellina' and 'Porta di Fuori'. Inside its walls stands a square keep, called 'Torre della Salvezza'. Originally it had 2 gates; the one remaining, opening up to the interior of the castrum and another, opening up to the countryside. Both would have had drawbridges over a dry moat.

Between 1813 and 1830 the Mirabella tower of the castle was lowered and upon it was built the present 'Torre del Popolo', a civic bell tower which is said to be the highest in Europe. The shape and height of the tower are due to initial dissatisfaction of the architects, who continued to raise it to obtain a better aesthetic effect.

Palazzolo Castle can freely be visited during daytime. A very nice castle ruin. The bell tower can be visited but sadly was closed when I came by.

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Palazzolo Castle

Palazzolo Castle

Palazzolo Castle, locally more commonly known as Rocha Magna or Castello di Palazzolo sull'Oglio, lies in the city of Palazzolo sull'Oglio, in the Brescia province in the Lombardy region in Italy.

Palazzolo Castle was built between the 9th and 10th century, guarding an old Roman bridge over the river Oglio. It was inserted in the system of fortifications which defended the castrum of Palatioli.

In 1316, during the wars between the Guelphs and the Ghibellines, factions who were supporting the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor respectively, Brescian Ghibellines locked themselves up in the castle of Palazzolo. The chasing Guelphs then successfully besieged the castle. The town and castle were conquered by the Visconti Lord of Milan in 1337.

The Venetians incorporated the town into their republic in 1428 and subsequently restored the castle in 1432. In 1441 the Visconti troops commanded by Niccolò Piccinino conquered the town, bombing the castle which surrendered after a few days. Apparently, in 1448, the people of Palazzolo asked to have the castle as a gift to be able to raze it, considering the huge expenses necessary for its maintenance. The Venetians finally ceded Palazzolo Castle to the municipality in 1517, after it had lost its strategic importance.

The castle consists of a trapezoidal circuit wall built out of river pebbles, with 3 circular towers, called 'Mirabella', 'Ruellina' and 'Porta di Fuori'. Inside its walls stands a square keep, called 'Torre della Salvezza'. Originally it had 2 gates; the one remaining, opening up to the interior of the castrum and another, opening up to the countryside. Both would have had drawbridges over a dry moat.

Between 1813 and 1830 the Mirabella tower of the castle was lowered and upon it was built the present 'Torre del Popolo', a civic bell tower which is said to be the highest in Europe. The shape and height of the tower are due to initial dissatisfaction of the architects, who continued to raise it to obtain a better aesthetic effect.

Palazzolo Castle can freely be visited during daytime. A very nice castle ruin. The bell tower can be visited but sadly was closed when I came by.

Gallery

Details
Hits: 865