The present castle, overlooking the Oglio valley and next to the fortified town of Calepio, is standing on the ruins of a former Early Middle Age fortalice. The current building's structure was built by Count Trussardo Calepio in 1430, due to the need of defence during the wars between Venice Republic and the Duchy of Milan. Calepio Counts were both politically and militarily supporting the Serenissima's expansion throughout Bergamo's territory. Further additions (especially during XVII and XVIII centuries) converted the castle from a military garrison into an elegant residence. From 1849 the castle belongs to a Charitable Institution.

https://visitlakeiseo.info

The Conti Calepio Castle

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Carobbio degli Angeli (Bergamasque: Caròbe di Àngei) is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Bergamo in the Italian region of Lombardy, located about 60 kilometres (37 mi) northeast of Milan and about 13 kilometres (8 mi) southeast of Bergamo.

Carobbio degli Angeli borders the following municipalities: Bolgare, Chiuduno, Gandosso, Gorlago, Grumello del Monte, Trescore Balneario.
History
The village has Roman origins. In the 14th century AD it received a castle. Later it was a possession of the Republic of Venice.

The current comune was created in 1928 through the merger of Carobbio and Santo Stefano degli Angeli.




Carobbio degli Angeli

The castle has primeval origins, even high medieval, but his existence is ascertained only since 1160.
The founder of the family that had the ownership of it was Alberto degli Albertoni of the Capitani di Vertova, representative in Lodi of the Lombarda League, in 1183 between the signatories of the peace of Constance and in 1190 consul of Bergamo.
The counts of Vertova extinguished in male line in the first half of the 1800, but their noble stock continued in female line across the last adherent,the countess Elizabeth, in the Camozzi de Gherardi Vertova.

Now the history and the life of the castle continues with the countess Maria Edvige in the Camozzi Palma de Gherardi Vertova.
In 1380 this site was remembered by Celestino in occasion of the expansionist manoeuvres of the Duke of Milan, Bernabò Visconti.

Once achieved the peace among Veneta Republic and the Visconti, in 1433, for decree of the Republic of Venice, "the inhabitants of Bagnatica and Costa di Mezzate were exempted of the tax paying because of their loyalty".

At the beginning of the hostilities between the two powers the castle of Costa di Mezzate was imposed as apprehensible rampart of defense and it allowed the soldieries of the Republic of Venice to be saved from the Milaneses. After that Nicolò Piccino for revenge instigated his fury against the castles of Costa di Mezzate and of Castelli Calepio, conquers them, in part demolishes them and blazes them.

https://ettoremajorana.edu.it

Castello di Costa di Mezzate

Il Castello di Iseo o Castello Oldofredi prende il nome dall'omonima famiglia di Iseo, anche se non esistono documenti che ne attestino la proprietà.

Posizionato su un'emergenza rocciosa a meridione del centro storico, risulta esistente già nel IX-X secolo come proprietà del monastero bresciano di Santa Giulia.

La struttura è a pianta quadrata di circa 10 metri per lato, di cui la parte più antica risulta essere il mastio posizionata nell'ala meridionale.

Nel 1161 subì una devastazione ordinata da Federico Barbarossa, successivamente venne ricostruito e munito di quattro torri ai lati e un fossato scavato nella roccia.

Le porte d'accesso, a sesto acuto, erano rivolte a nord e a sud e nelle chiavi di volta era riportato lo stemma veronese dei Della Scala.

A partire dall'inizio Quattrocento, con l'estensione del dominio della Repubblica di Venezia sul Bresciano, la fortificazione perse la sua importanza militare. La proprietà passò alla famiglia Celeri da Lovere, che la mantenne fino al 1585, quando venne donato ai frati cappuccini.

I monaci operarono diverse modifiche nella struttura, tra cui la mozzatura delle torri e la costruzione della chiesa di san Marco, consacrata nel 1629.

Con le soppressioni di Napoleone nel 1797 i frati abbandonarono il convento, che subì una privatizzazione. Il comune di Iseo riuscì ad acquistarne il possesso negli anni '60 del Novecento e restaurarlo.

Oggi ospita la biblioteca comunale Fulgenzio Rinaldi, la sede di alcune associazioni culturali e la sala civica nella precedente chiesa di San Marco.

Castello Oldofredi

This building is a wonderful Renaissance manor house, nestled in the soft and green plain of Bergamo. It was built between the XVI and the XVII century on the ruins of a thirteenth-century group of houses, then it was restored by the Gonzaga family from Vescovato, the current owners for more than sixty years.
You can just cross the threshold to feel like a princess. The romantic entrance is the ideal royal pathway for the bride and the groom, with the beautiful St. Mark’s Church in front of the castle, which majestically dominates the valley with its giant gate on whose top there is a marble eagle. Walking through the path, you arrive at the lovely square court, which is totally covered with frescos and dominated by an old black marble well, streaked in white: the perfect support for the wedding-cake cutting. The double loggia, instead, covered with frescos as well, is the perfect location to host the aperitif and starter buffet. The five indoor halls, adorned with some vaults painted by Giacomo Barbello from Lodi and Gian Battista Azzola, are little works of art, and represent the ideal setting for a refined and exclusive banquet.
On the top of the tower that dominates the surrounding countryside, you can plunge yourself into an evocative scenario that surrounds the valley of Bergamo, and you can admire also the other tower of the Castle, at whose basis there is a secret room. It is a special place to take some photos of the wedding, as well as the adjacent park enlivened by a lovely land full of haystacks and characterised by a romantic wooden bridge that passes above a stream where willows are languidly reflected.
At the sunset, the evocative light of the torches will give magic and beauty to the atmosphere of the portico, the courtyard, the columns and the battlements of this enchanted Castle, where you can even celebrate your civil rite near the well in the middle of the courtyard, or in the solemn Sala dei Girasoli (Sunflower Hall), covered with frescos.
Finally, Longhi Banqueting’s staff represents an essential support for a professional and careful organisation of an impeccable wedding reception, paying attention in fulfilling any of the bride and the groom’s dreams. The menu is exclusively realised with seasonal and very-high-quality ingredients, in order to exalt the dishes created by the chefs, blending the typical cuisine of Bergamo with an original touch.

https://www.residenzedepoca.it

The Cavernago Castle’s 

DESCRIPTION
Malpaga Castle was built by a Ghibelline before the advent of gun power. Thanks to the deep moat surrounding it, the Castle was unassailable over a long time: it came back to life in 1456, when the famous Captain General of the Venice Republic Bartolomeo Colleoni decided to buy Malpaga’s Borough for 100 gold ducats, aiming to turn it into his private house and the centre of his domain.

The Castle thus became the Commander’s headquarter and witnessed numerous outstanding historic events, hosting renowned figures paying homage to the Captain, such as Borso d’Este, Francesco Sforza’s sons, Charles II Duke of Burgundy and Christian I king of Denmark.


Malpaga Castle is one of the most outstanding XIV Century Lombard buildings. It overlooks 330 hectares of farmlands in the Park of River Serio, creating an amazing natural and architectural complex leading the territorial requalification project called PER MALPAGA.


Every weekend from March to November, Malpaga Castle opens its gates and displays all its treasures. During these exclusive tours you can admire the beautiful frescos decorating the ancient Halls, carried out by renowned artist between the XV and the XVII Century: you can experience the charm of the past as you walk through the door of the castle, decorated with furniture reproducing the style of that period.

Moreover, it is also possible to visit the hamlet of Malpaga upon request, with a lovely tour by carriage all around the Castle, to discover the its most secret places. Lots of events, initiatives and historic re-enactments, such as the traditional Palio of Malpaga, enliven the Hamlet and take the Castle back to life throughout the year.

https://www.visitbergamo.net

Malpaga Castle

A lion rampant and an eagle with big talons grasping its prey represent the symbol of the ancient and noble Suardi family, depicted on the entry portal of Bianzano Castle.

The historical complex, dating back to the XIII Century, features a perfectly square plan whose diagonal lines indicate the cardinal points.

Located on a tableland overlooking the western side of the Cavallina Valley, the building allowed to control the north-western and north-eastern faces, from where the enemies could arrive: the road coming from the Seriana Valley across the Valle Rossa (the “Red Valley”) and the one connecting Bergamo with Lake Iseo and the Camonica Valley. It also provided a good view over Lake Endine and the Mount Torrezzo.

The numerical proportions and the symbols disseminated all over the castle lead one to think that, originally, it was a seat of the Templars, the knights belonging to the medieval religious order: would you like to learn more about it?


Several well-known proofs, along with some new ones, confirm the presence of the Templars.

The first one is in the emblem of Bianzano Municipality, featuring two symbols: a silver shell and the pilgrim’s staff, validating the fact that the village used to be a stopover for wayfarers and believers.

The Templars provided assistance to pilgrims, so they may have chosen this place as a sort of headquarter to control the upper valley. But there’s more: historians and enthusiasts have been examining the castle for a long time, discovering many interesting facts. 

First of all, 1,618: this is the golden ratio, also called “Phidias’ proportion”, obtained dividing the height by the base of the two portals situated in the Castle’s courtyard. This numerical rule was already theorized by the Greeks and carried on by Leonardo da Vinci, who probably applied it to the Last Supper.

Moreover, in Castel del Monte, Apulia, there seem to be the same archaeo-astronomical elements also found in Bianzano: the orientation towards the cardinal points, with the square plant’s four corners, perfectly sets the sun rays during solstices and equinoxes.

More in detail, during the equinoxes the light strikes a determined corner inside the building, while during solstices the points of incidence detect both length and height of the tower, the castle and the courtyard. On the other hand, the moon is able to adjust the castle orientation to the cardinal points with 10 degrees of difference.

Among the symbols, it is also interesting to know that the “flowers of life” we find in many Templar places of worship, along with the black and white lozenges, can hide the heaven-earth and light-darkness duality that’s typical of the Templar culture.

It looks like the mystery of Bianzano Castle is enclosed in the medal decorating the fortified tower’s vault, featuring some birds. They are actually crossbills: according to the legend, they tried to take the thorns off Jesus’s crown. The reference to the Templar cross is clear.

Out of curiosity
Every year, during the first weekend of August, the Castle hosts the historical re-enactment of a very important event: in 1367 Giovanni, a member of the Suardi family, married Bernarda Visconti, Bernabò’s daughter, ruler of the Duchy of Milan, receiving the castle itself as a wedding gift. 

After the restoration work carried out between the 60s and the 70s, the building is still in good conditions. It serves as the summer residence of its owners, while a couple of lodgers-keepers live here the whole year long, in the raised ground floor at the tower’s entrance.
https://www.visitbergamo.net

Bianzano Castle 

The fortified fortress complex, whose construction began in 1331, was originally intended to host the command of John of Luxembourg, King of Bohemia. The historical period in which the Rocca was built was particularly troubled and convulsed due to the struggles between the factions of the Guelphs and the Ghibellines, and in this context Bergamo, like other cities, was given on February 5, 1331 , to John of Luxembourg in the hope that a strong external power could lead to general pacification. The King Boemo's attempt was fragile in the face of the power of the Visconti, under whose Lady Bergamo fell in 1332. In 1336 Azzone Visconti completed the Rocca, whose defensive function was then exalted by the construction of the Citadel, which was inserted in a defensive system aimed not only towards the outside, but also inward against any rebellion. In October 1427, the dominance of the Viscontium succeeded in the dominance of the Serenissima, after the victory of the Battle of Maclodio of the following October 11 and with the peace of Ferrara of April 19, 1428, the formal recognition of its domain over Bergamo and its territory. Venice enhanced with new additions to the Fortified Complex of the Rocca by building the circular tower which still characterizes it and, in its interior, the building destined for the grenadiers' accommodation. The Venetian defensive reinforcement of the Rocca became part of a broader project, with the construction of the low wall of a defensive perimeter, the Muraine, the most visible of which is the Tower of Galgario and later, from 1561 to 1588, of a powerful bastion belt around the hills of Città Alta, which transformed Bergamo into a fortress. At the end of the eighteenth century, under the thrust of the wind of the French Revolution, Bergamo rose to Venice, and before the Venetian cities, on March 13, 1797, it became an autonomous republic. The Rocca retained its military function both after the entry into Bergamo of the troops of Napoleon at the end of December 1796, which defeated, beyond the European one, the Venetian geopolitical system, and subsequently, since 1814, with the Austrians who will hold it until liberation of Bergamo by Garibaldi on June 8, 1859. The museum was not thought of as a showcase of mute historical self-referential finds, but as a representation of the popular Bergamasco intervention in the construction of Risorgimento Italy: it is a testimony to the historical path of a community in the period between 1797 and 1870, with particular regard to the human element that was its creator and protagonist, especially with the voluntary participation in the garibaldi adventure perceived as the cornerstone of national unity. The museum celebrates the Garibaldi myth, whose symbol is the red shirt. Memory as knowledge is pursued by the museum through educational services that have set up courses for schools of every order and degree. The protagonists are present through paintings, sculptures, objects, interesting also in the artistic as well as documentary aspects: in some works some known names are known, almost in a virtual way. Noteworthy are the marble busts of Gabriele Camozzi, his wife Alba Coralli, Francesco Nullo, the bronze ones by Daniele Piccinini and Vittore Tasca, all the patriots bergamaschi and protagonists of the foreground of the Risorgimento. Many members of the families involved in the silicon sector participated in the Risorgimento movement for ideals but also for the expectation of a national market. The didactic path of the museum is completed through maps, vintage posters and original documents, and for the economic part through the description of the silk production and the reconstruction of its own filanda, a particularly important industrial activity in Bergamo of the epoch. tub and a base made up of three crouching lions.

https://www.myooni.com

La Rocca di Bergamo

Representing a clearly visible symbol of power, San Vigilio Castle has been the residence of Bergamo’s numerous rulers for centuries. It is located 496 meters above the sea level, on top of the hill that gives it its name, overlooking the Città Alta: that’s why it used to have a strategic role in case of attacks. From its top, you can see the Mount Bastia nearby and the villages of the old Breno valley (called Valbrembo and Paladina today), along with the Almenno plain, also known as Lemine, once renowned for being an important trade centre, and the hamlets located all along the street leading to the Brembana valley. This spectacular and vast landscape also embraces a significant part of the pre-Alps. The circle plan of the building resembles a star, featuring the four towers called Castagneta, Belvedere, Del Ponte and San Vigilio. Its basements are very tortuous: a tunnel (accessible in part) was also found, connecting the Castle directly to the northern side of the hills fortification, inside the San Marco Fortress.


The first news about a fortification on the Hill dates back to the VI Century after Christ, even if we can’t rule out the presence some previous Roman buildings. In 889, the future king of Italy Arnolfo di Carinzia decided to conquer it, sending away the religious community inhabiting it since the VI Century, which had built a small fortress called Castello della Cappella (Chapel’s Castle), dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene.
The structure thus became a strategic military post, to the extent that in 1166 Bergamo Town Council decided to build a bigger castle. Thanks to the work of Milan’s Duchy in the XIV Century and mostly of the Republic of Venice in The XV Century, San Vigilio Castle underwent further enlargements and reinforcements. Many changes were carried out, including the four fortified towers provided with casemates and embrasures connected one another by a defensive wall and a protection moat.

During the XVI Century the Castle endured numerous sieges by the French and the Spanish. Therefore, a massive defensive wall was built, while the central medieval tower was demolished in order to let more garrisons get in; besides, the castled was equipped with the soldiers’ accommodations and the castellan’s house.

In the end of the XIX Century, the Castle begun to be seen as touristic attraction: the entire historical complex was purchased by the Soregaroli family to open a restaurant. It was a kind of premonition, as today the San Vigilio hill, with its two fancy restaurants, is considered one of the best places to have a romantic dinner. The San Vigilio funicular, established in 1912 to connect the hill to Sant’Alessandro Gate, also enhances the charming atmosphere

Later, the Castle was bought by Bergamo’s Municipality and opened to the public in 1962, while the funicular (closed since 1976) was reactivated in 1991.

Currently the secret passage linking the San Marco Fortress with the Castle can be visited, thanks to the activity of a speleological group called “Le Nottole”, which arranges guided tours on request.

San Vigilio Castle

The Castello Visconteo di Pagazzano is a moated, late-medieval castle located in Pagazzano, a town in the Province of Bergamo in the Italian region of Lombardy.

History
A fortress since prior to the 11th century; however, we have documents about a sortie by a Guelf band that burned the castle and murdered its 200 Ghibelline inhabitants in 1353. The castle and the territory of Gera d’Adda, including Pagazzano, was inherited in 1354 by Bernabò Visconti. The territory was disputed over the centuries by surrounding ruling forces, and various Visconti descendants.[1] In the 19th century, the castle was owned by the Crivelli family until 1968 when it was bought by a private initiative, and sold ultimately to the Comune di Pagazzano in the year 2000.

Castello Visconteo (Pagazzano)

Palazzo Visconti, a volte erroneamente chiamato Castello di Brignano, è un edificio di origine medievale situato nel paese di Brignano Gera d'Adda, in provincia di Bergamo.
La prima conferma storica della presenza del "Castrum de Briniano" risale al 1019 quando Brignano e i territori limitrofi vengono ceduti dal re d'Italia Arduino d'Ivrea alla giurisdizione del vescovo di Cremona. La necessità di un castello difensivo era dovuta alla forte instabilità politica dell'età medievale nel borgo di Brignano e in tutta la bergamasca. Nel 1186 dopo la pace di Costanza L'imperatore Federico I di Svevia cede il feudo di Brignano ai Visconti di Milano, unitamente agli altri manieri della Gera d'Adda.

Il dominio nella città milanese venne esercitato per breve tempo dai Torriani quando durante la guerra per il predominio sulla Gera d'Adda Ottone Visconti ne uscì vincitore. Dopo la pace tra i Visconti e i Torriani del 1310 iniziò un periodo di fortissima instabilità, con la zona contesa da Milano e la Repubblica di Venezia. In quegli anni la rocca venne assegnata a Sagramoro I, figlio illegittimo di Bernabò e capostipite del ramo di Brignano dei Visconti. Questa famiglia ne mantenne il possesso anche quando, nel 1447 con l'instaurazione a Milano della Repubblica Ambrosiana, la Gera d'Adda passò nuovamente alla Serenissima. Il controllo della struttura venne ribadita anche quando, con la costruzione del fosso bergamasco e la definitiva stabilizzazione dei confini, Brignano ritornò sotto l'influenza di Milano. La stabilità venne sancita da un atto notarile che, datato 1465 che confermava il pieno possesso dello stabile a Sagramoro II Visconti.

Nel 1716 Annibale Visconti e il fratello Pirro detengono la proprietà del complesso che però gli verrà confiscata nel 1734 per riottenerne il possesso due anni dopo, la linea dinastica della famiglia durò fino al 1892, quando si estinse con Antonietta Visconti Sauli, che morì senza eredi. Nel 1859 durante la seconda guerra d'indipendenza Napoleone III è ospite al castello. Nel 1899 Don Pietro Aresi acquista palazzo vecchio e l'anno successivo lo adibisce ad asilo infantile e in seguito un ricovero che rimarranno nell'edificio fino al 1971. Nel 1918 sul finire della prima guerra mondiale un gruppo di soldati reduci dalla battaglia di Caporetto occupa il palazzo. I primi restauri a Palazzo Nuovo iniziarono nel 1954, vennero poi restaurati gli affreschi di Palazzo Vecchio nel 1981. Nel 2003 viene organizzata un importante campagna di restauro e viene trasferito il municipio cittadino a Palazzo Vecchio

Architettura
L'intera struttura è posta a sud-ovest del paese di Brignano Gera d'Adda ed è costituita da tre principali elementi distinti ma collegati tra loro con continuità. Il primo è dato dalla parte più antica che, costituita dal nucleo difensivo originale e risalente al XIII-XIV secolo, ne evidenzia l'iniziale carattere difensivo. Il secondo, denominato Palazzo Vecchio e costruito nel XVI secolo, ne mette in mostra la progressiva trasformazione a dimora signorile; mentre il terzo, conosciuto come Palazzo Nuovo di costruzione settecentesca, sancisce la completa trasformazione del castello in palazzo. Originariamente la fortificazione cingeva l'intero centro abitato di Brignano, mentre il castello vero e proprio venne edificato nel corso del XIV secolo, dopo l'arrivo dei Visconti a Brignano. La famiglia milanese pose nel maniero la propria residenza, ampliando successivamente la propria dimora con l'inglobamento di strutture precedenti. Attualmente, di riferibile al nucleo originale vi è l'elemento di raccordo tra i due palazzi principale e tracce di ponte levatoio e camminamento riemerse dopo recenti restauri. Dal castello partivano le mura che, descritte in mappe catastali del XV secolo, hanno cinto il borgo di Brignano fino alla fine del Settecento: di esse una parte è stata usata come recinzione del Palazzo Nuovo, il resto è stato sfruttato per l'edificazione di abitazioni private. Oggi sono visibili alcuni resti delle mura lungo la circonvallazione stradale del paese, ad ovest di esso e anche due torri circolari mozze, parte di fossato e torri angolari lungo camminamento nella zona del giardino del Palazzo Nuovo. Stando però a quanto sostenuto dalla storica dell'arte nonché sindaca di Brignano Beatrice Bolandrini, il palazzo è erroneamente chiamato castello, in quanto il palazzo non ha alcuna attinenza con un castello e le uniche opere fortificate sono le mura che cingevano il castrum.