Visconti di San Vito Castle

Visconti di San Vito Castle, locally known as Castello di Visconti di San Vito, lies in the center of the town of Somma Lombardo, in the Varese province in the Lombardy region in Italy.

Although some sources state that a castle in Somma Lombardo was already attested in the 9th century, most others agree about it being built around 1250 as part of a defensive line along the Ticino river, between Milan and the Lake Maggiore.

Apparently the lordship of Somma Lombardo had already been in the hands of the San Vito branch of the Visconti family for a very long time before 1448 when the brothers Francesco and Guido Visconti took up residence in the castle. They were seeking refuge to escape conflicts with the Golden Ambrosian Republic after the death of their family member Filippo Maria Visconti, the Duke of Milan. His death ended the Visconti rule of the Duchy of Milan.

The Viscontis owned the castle until 1997 when they bequeathed it to the Visconti di San Vito Foundation. The foundation has opened up part of the castle to the public and aims to maintain the castle.

Visconti di San Vito Castle can be visited for a fee. Sadly enough, it was closed when I came by. The castle is quite a jumble of different buildings but I like its overall appearance.

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