The Visconti Castle of Vercelli is a Middle Age castle located in the center of Vercelli, Piedmont, Italy. Erected at the end of the 13th century, it underwent subsequent transformation to be changed in its use. Today it is the seat of the Tribunal of Vercelli.[1]

History
The castle was built by order of Matteo Visconti of Milan around the year 1290, probably on the ruins of a previous buildings. During the Visconti regime in Vercelli it had been the seat of the podestà. In 1427 the Visconti handed over the city, and with it the castle, to Amadeus VIII, Duke of Savoy. Occasionally it was used by the Savoy as their residence. The blessed Amadeus IX, Duke of Savoy died there in 1472.

It was damaged during the Spanish siege in 1638. Since the 19th century it had been used as the Vercelli prison. Further transformation were done in the 20th century to transform it into the seat of the Vercelli Tribunal.

Visconti Castle (Vercelli)

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Il castello di Vettignè è un antico edificio di origine medievale del Vercellese, situato nell'omonima frazione di Santhià. 
A partire dagli anni sessanta del Novecento il castello, a seguito dello spopolamento della frazione Vettignè, versa in uno stato abbandono pressoché totale. 
Il toponimo Vettignè deriva dal Vectigal che era il dazio che si pagava per ottenere il diritto di passaggio dal borgo, che all'epoca era il crocevia tra la Via Svizzera e la Via Francigena, detta anche Via Francesca.

Storia
Il castello fu a lungo di proprietà della nobile famiglia dei Vialardi di Verrone, poi dei Dal Pozzo e passò al ramo Savoia-Aosta in seguito al matrimonio di Maria Vittoria Carlotta, l'ultima erede dei principi della Cisterna, con il principe Amedeo, duca di Aosta e re di Spagna.

Il nucleo castellato fu edificato, forse su una struttura più antica, nel XV secolo. È interamente circondato da merli a coda di rondine, sorretti da lunghi beccatelli adornati da una fascia decorativa. La torre cilindrica, di altezza notevole, ricorda da vicino quella del castello di San Genuario a Crescentino. 
Tra il '500 ed il '600 furono costruite le abitazioni, i magazzini e la casa padronale che andarono a chiudere la corte centrale.

Stando a una leggenda il sanguinario capitano di ventura Bonifazio, detto Facino Cane, che le fonti più accreditate ritengono nato a Casale Monferrato, sarebbe invece originario di Vettignè; proprio per questo il borgo di Vettignè e la stessa Santhià sarebbero stati gli unici centri della zona ad essere risparmiati dalla furia del condottiero.

Castello di Vettignè

Rooms with brick vaults and stone columns or coffered ceilings, large room with floors in ancient terracotta and a vast and well-tended garden rich in plants and flowers are the features of Castello di Vespolate, in the Novara province. The atmosphere is that of a building with a millenary history: there is certain information about it since 1053, when the Countess Adelaide, daughter of the Count of Parma and widow of the Count of Pombia, donated it to Rudolfo da Besate. It was then passed down by the Sforza family to the Farnese and by the Spaniards to the bishop of Novara. Subsequently, with the law of 1866 expropriating church assets, the castle and fortress of Vespolate were passed on to private individuals.

Castello di Vespolate

The project involves the renovation of existing parts on the east and north sides of the Castle and the reconstruction of demolished parts, particularly the west and the south sides and the reconstruction of the tower in the main front on the square that, in historical time, has taken different form and size. The Castle is the new museum of the city of Novara.

In the North side as well as the refurbishment of all the spaces, the project includes the reconstruction of the tower on his ancient wall hidden under the pitched roof. The two walls of ancient tower are extended on left and right side leaving open a view of the square, monuments of the city, Baptistery and the Antonelli great dome of San Gaudenzio Church. This open viewpoint become the image of the new civic Tower of Novara. In the East side, the “Monicione” Tower has been rebuilt.

In the West part, that will be the second step of the project, the great roman wall is as a point of support for the new wing of the Castle. This extension recomposes the unity of the architectural complex in continuity with the ancient Visconti, Sforza and Spanish traces. At ground floor, the great archeological wall is a typological guide element. Outside, the front of the new building includes a fragment of medieval wall and enhances its presence, emphasizing the value of material reconstruction, the sign of stratification of uses.

It is emblematic considering that the project starts with a primary system, the Roman, and that supports its own evolution as following, every time, a logical unit of architectural process.

https://archello.com

Castello di Novara

The best way to discover Buronzo Castle: guided by competent and trained staff, who will lead you on an adventure between the halls, arcades, courtyards and gardens. They will bring you to the heart of the unique consortium system, moving between different eras and styles, revealing the highlights of a region with amazing features. The castle is regularly open to the public with guided tours (see the events schedule to find out when the next dates are). Tours last about an hour and a half, and follow a route that winds from the restored portion up to the most evocative nooks of the village, so visitors can grasp the common thread that binds together the towers, palaces and fortified houses to create one whole.

€5 per person

For those interested in exploring specific issues or expanding on specific aspects, the castle staff is available to study ad hoc proposals, which, thanks to the collaboration with fully qualified professional tour guides, can also be expanded to embrace other monumental sites in our area.

For groups of over 20 people, it is always possible to visit, even outside the normal Sunday opening dates.

https://www.castellodiburonzo.it/

Buronzo Castle

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 PROH
The Counts of Biandrate were the first to build a fortress in the hills, known as Castellaccio, where there is also the small Parish Church di San Silvestro – originally built in the 15th century and reworked in the Baroque style – as well as the remains of the surrounding wall and tower. The 15th century castle with large circular towers and a pinnacle, property of the Caccia family and then of the Cattaneo di Cavaglietto, was the first defensive bulwark on the road from Novara up towards Valsesia. Destroyed during the war between the Visconti of Milan and the Marchese of Monferrato, the manor fell under control of the Caccia of Mandello Vitta and finally under the Cattaneo of Cavaglietto who held onto it until the beginning of the 19th century.

Castello di Proh

Situated on the alluvial hill of the Strona River, the castle of Briona dominates the plain and the village below, the first inhabited settlement of the Valsesia State road. The structure of the castle dates back partially to the 14th century and partially to the 15th, but the first news about the existence of this castle come from the early months of 1140. For sure, the 20th of November 1449, Francesco Sforza yielded in fee the “Castrum et Locum Brione” to the Novarese Lord Giovanni Zanardo Tornielli as reward for the services he got during two fighting years together. Tornielli decided to live there and built up the fortification, which is to-day one of the most picturesque and better kept military buildings in this zone. In the course of the 17th century, the castle walls witnessed the stories of a famous figure, husband of the last descendant of the family, Giovanni Battista Caccia, called Cacetta, who was eventually tried and sentenced to death in 1609, dragging his family to the ruin. Some modern historians individuate in this figure the Manzoni’s Don Rodrigo of the “Promessi Sposi”. The general of the Savoy army, Baron Paolo Solaroli, then bestowed with the title of Marquis of Briona, became owner of the castle in 1864. The marquis left an important collection of arms and objects gathered during his young years in Eastern countries. Some of them are downstairs, inside a large room called “gallery of arms”. The fortification is perfectly four-sided and houses a square hanging court-yard with its floor on an equal footing with the first level. This yard is supported by cross vaults built on a central pilaster. Beneath there are the capitulary room and the crypt. A sole tower with expanded pigeonry, shaped almost as a mushroom, looks over the castle. The rustic part of the castle, better known as “Tinaja” is worth our interest, too, where different tools for farmers’ and wine-makers’ works are gathered. The castle, private mansion, is surrounded by a nice garden.

https://www.turismonovara.it

Castello di Briona

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

In 1170, Alberto Rovasenda began building the Rovasenda Castle (Castello di Rovasenda), which he wanted surrounded by a wide ditch. Created for purely defensive reasons, the castle, over the centuries, has had various functions until it finally turned into a noble home between the 15th century and 16th century. Between the end of the 14th century and the beginning of the 15th century, the Savoy began their attempt to subjugate the Rovasenda family, who became, after many wars, vassals in 1413. In 1459, the present day 48 meter high and seven storey square tower was added on to the work carried out by Alberto di Rovasenda. A new wing, decorated with frescoes and lacunar ceilings and broad arches, was built during the Renaissance. In 1667, during the war between the Spanish and the Savoy, the castle was severely damaged. Then lightening struck the west side of the new tower in 1721, causing a 15 meter crack that was not repaired until 1927. Among the interesting facts regarding the castle is the story that, Pierre du Terrail, Monsieur de Bayard, the "knight without a stain and without fear" who became famous in the Italian wars during the 15th century for his courage - as a commemorative plaque placed in the interior courtyard indicates - died in area near the castle in 1524.

https://www.piemonteitalia.eu