Uviglie
According to some, the origin of the placename can be linked to the latin term “ovilia” a plural for “ovile”, sheepfold, confirming the primitive pastoral organization of the area. Others instead maintain that “Uviglie” comes from the roman patronymic “Avilius” which has left quite a few traces in the area. The name made its first appearance on a document dated November 1271 kept in the capitular archives of Casale Monferrato.

The origins
The first certain traces about the birth of the castle can be found in a document dated 14th June 1322. In this text the marquis of Monferrato Teodoro I granted the Pocaparte family a license “ hedificandi Castrum Ivilie” to build their own fortified residence. The construction of the round tower and the wall supporting the roof garden adjacent the present park goes back to that period.

In the XVI century, in order to redeem lands and castles pawned by his father Teodoro, Giovanni II Paleologo inflicted new taxes and started a legal dispute which affected mostly the Pocaparte family. The legal dispute went on for more than a century and it ended unfavoraubly for the Pocaparte family in 1493. Consequently Antonio di Giovanni was the first of the Pocapartes to give up his estates of Uviglie. In November 1493 he gave all his feudal possessions to Maria di Serbia mother and guardian of Gian Giacomo Palelogo and of Guglielmo IX Marquis of Monferrato in exchange of the promise of a dowry of at least 1000 florins for his children, sons and daughters.

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Castello di Uviglie

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Il castello di San Giorgio Monferrato è un'antica roccaforte risalente al X secolo di San Giorgio Monferrato, in provincia di Alessandria.
Collocazione e storia
La struttura è collocata nel centro storico e si erge sull'abitato.

La fondazione del castello risale al X secolo ed una delle fortezze più antiche meglio conservate. Fu la sede di nobili famiglie ed accolse il tribunale dell'Inquisizione.[1]

Nel XIII secolo Guglielmo VI del Monferrato investì del feudo la famiglia Avogadro. E l'ultimo dei Paleologi Giovanni Giorgio del Monferrato edificò le possenti mura del maniero. Nel 1533, col passaggio del Monferrato ai Gonzaga di Mantova (con Federico II di Mantova), il castello venne più volte occupato dai francesi e semidistrutto dagli spagnoli agli inizi del Seicento. Ferdinando Carlo di Gonzaga-Nevers cedette il castello alla famiglia Gozani che lo ricostruì e ne tenne la proprietà sino agli inizi del Nocevento.

La foresteria del castello è stata trasformata in Hotel - Ristorante con centro benessere.

Castello di San Giorgio Monferrato

Dear Traveller, If you happen to find yourself passing near Casale Monferato, I would strongly suggest that you visit this city and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a true Capital; this magnificent city conjures up emotions …of all the centuries gone by.

Of Roman origin ( ancient Vardacate) transformed after the fall of the empire into a hamlet, a “casale” that became Casale S. Evasio for the illustrious and miraculous Holy Bishop of Benevento who was known to perform many miracles for the faithful who turned to Him. A free Commune in the orbit of the Aleramici whose story ended during the Crusades in the Holy Land. From the east came the descendants of this glorious dynasty, the Paleologi (1306). The Imperial family of Byzantium made Casale the capital of a small but strategic marquis which became a jewel among the small Italian states. They too died out without having any male heirs from the great Marchesa Anne d'Alençon Valois.

The Gonzaga of Mantova prevailed over all other claimants to the succession, thanks to the intervention of the Emperor Charles V. In 1713 the Savoy finally annexed the Marquis of Monferrato and thereafter its history became part of the Kingdom of Sardinia. Can such an important story not to leave any traces !! In fact, we discover many delicious indulgences,(over and above those eno- gastronomical) architecturally and scenically. The magnificent surrounding hills and the "great river" which runs through it. Not to mention the beautiful Romanesque (Cathedral of St. Evasio ) – of Lombardo eleventh century with its soaring atrium, its mosaics, the Chapel of the Saints and the treasures. Recently they have opened an archaeological trail in the attics within the ancient walls. The (Synagogue ) (XVI.century) unusual for the richness of its décor, the museum “dei Lumi e degli Argenti.” The majestic gothic (St. Dominic ) Church (XV-XVI sec.) which is almost an art gallery for the wealth of paintings on display.The (Civic Museum ), rich in works by local artists and non, the Gipsoteca with chalk originals elaborated by the symbolist sculptor Leonardo Bistolfi, described as one of masters of Liberty. And what about the rich variety of the eighteenth century buildings painted and still furnished as was originally in via Mameli and in many other areas of the large historical center. If you want you can also choose the 2nd Sunday of the month to come and visit. You'll find one of the oldest and richest Antique markets, while the city hosts the event "Casale città aperta", and opens its doors to other incredible treasures. 

Castello dei Paleologi (Casale Monferrato)

Castello di Gabbiano History

A fortunate position that of the Castle of Gabbiano, located a few miles from Florence and Siena, making it an ideal base for visits throughout Tuscany.

The story of Gabbiano begins in the eleventh century when it began the construction of a tower to defend one of the most important communication routes between Florence and Siena. At that time the land belonged to one of the most prominent families of bankers in the city of Florence, the Bardi, who in 1124 began the construction of the cellars and, a little more than a century later, the perimeter walls of the fortress. The Castle remained in the hands of the Bards until the early 1400s when it passed to the Soderini family, also politically influential in Florence. It was for their will that the turreted manor house turned into a farm, adding to it over the years, other buildings and a private fort with four turrets placed at the corners.

Also during the possession of the Soderini the Castle begins to assume the most similar forms to those of today, with the construction of round towers at the four corners of the structure. After a period of semi abandonment suffered in the seventeenth century, the Castle knew several owners and starting from the nineteenth century the families who succeeded intervened with various restorations, while maintaining intact the original architectural features.

Among the many curiosities related to the history of the manor one can remember how Amerigo Vespucci had addressed to Pier Soderini, to the Castello di Gabbiano, his first missive on the return of the trip to the Americas. In fact, the two had in the course of the years preserved a friendly relationship after having been both pupils of Father Giorgio Antonio Vespucci, uncle of Amerigo, at the convent of San Marco.

The stay at the Castello di Gabbiano merges the refinement and comfort of a private home with the great atmosphere that only a historic residence can give: guests can relax in the company of a good book in the cozy living room, or sip a tea in the cloister or in the garden under the shade of the pergola, or reinvigorate yourself with a nice dip in the pool. Eleven spacious and elegant rooms, all different but united by stylish furnishings, create a perfect symphony overall. The accommodations are of different types: Standard, Junior, Suite and Superior. Another solution is the apartments, located a few steps from the castle in a farmhouse of 1500; all equipped with a fully equipped kitchen and high-level comforts, they offer a magnificent panoramic view of the green hills of Chianti, where vineyards, olive groves, farmhouses and woods alternate as far as the eye can see.

"Il Cavaliere", the Castello di Gabbiano restaurant, is housed in a 16th century farmhouse on the top of the hill. The two floors of the restaurant offer an environment with a unique welcome, including stone walls, frescoed walls and views of the surrounding vineyards. The proposed cuisine is the one that fully respects the typical features of the territory, with maximum attention to the choice of raw materials, going to rework in a lighter version, the traditional recipes of the territory and even varying the menu frequently will never miss the tasty risotto, the dishes with fresh pasta and the classic Florentine.

"Il Cavaliere" offers all the wines produced in the Castello winery, flanked by a selection of Chianti Classici and various national labels.