CASTLES VILLAS GARDENS / Magazine / M a p Mappa_Magazine_COR.pdf 1 12/09/17 16.14 Mappa_Magazine_COR.pdf 1 12/09/17 16.11 Castles, Villas and Gardens #inLombardia Magazine Come and explore castles, royal residences, villas and gardens and discover a different Lombardy on a journey through enchanting scenery, fairytale castles, magnificent mansions and baroque “villas of delights” surrounded by exquisite gardens and botanical wonders. Six thematic itineraries to explore the region in a different light: In Search of an Author, In Leonardo’s Footsteps, Exploring Wine Cellars, Belvederes and Vistas, Family Friendly Adventures and Action! Over 160 attractions to be visited. Endless adventures #inLombardia. Cover_ Villa del Balbianello, Tremezzina (Como) i loghi vannoi allineloghi avtianno ai rispettivi allineati ma ai rgispettiviini este rmani dellagini es pategrniina della pagina Legend page 74 Legend page 74 Castles Reasons to visit… Defence outposts, impregnable fortresses, with enchanting lake views or beautiful terraces overlooking the city. Magical places, where visitors can experience all the delights, art and culture 2 Photo_ Dal Verme Castle, Zavattarello (Pavia) 3 Legend page 74 Legend page 74 Cavernago Bergamo Malpaga Castle San Vigilio Castle and Park Cavernago Bergamo From the outside this castle is an impregnable castle’s defence system to adapt it to the The San Vigilio Castle was the last bastion of surrounding area into a park and reopened the fortress. Inside is ample evidence of a court new technologies. He also renovated the the city’s defences: if San Vigilio fell, so did funicular, generally considered the best way to which enjoyed the finer things in life, with a castle’s interior, with new frescoes portraying Bergamo. Which is why over the centuries reach the hill and the castle. lively interest in art and culture. the active court life lead by a lord with a a labyrinth of tunnels, secret passages and Thanks to the speleological group Le Nottole, The Malpaga Castle is located in Cavernago, genuine interest in art and culture. To this escape routes were dug out beneath the visitors can also explore the secret passage a small town within the Serio Nature Reserve. day the castle is surrounded by farmland castle’s walls to be used in the event of a used to connect the castle to San Marco’s fort, It was bought in 1456 by Bartolomeo Colleoni, and is the centre of many projects under the siege. Of the original castle four towers, the located in the northern part of the city’s walls. a condottiere originally from Bergamo – aegis of Permalpaga, an organisation aimed battlements, the walkways and the embrasures Captain general of the Republic of Venice at innovating local agriculture, developing are still visible today. Built on top of the San – who decided to make this castle his private sustainable energy alternatives and restoring Vigilio hill which dominates the upper town, residence. The advent of gunpowder meant the ancient town centre as a hub of social life, the castle is now owned by the municipality, Colleoni was forced to heavily modify the events and cultural activities. which has opened it to the public, turned the Loc. Malpaga, piazza Castello, Cavernago (BG) Colle San Vigilio, via al Castello, Bergamo (BG) tel. +39 035 840003 Open: March-November. Opening times: variable. Admission: only guided tours or +39 035 399788 - +39 035 399717 Open: all year Opening Times: seasonal with paid audioguide. [email protected] Admission: Free; [email protected] - vistibergamo.net castellomalpaga.it comune.bg.it 4 5 Legend page 74 Legend page 74 Bergamo Brescia Rocca of Bergamo Brescia Castle Bergamo Brescia Bergamo’s Fortress complex was built on the hill and the stories of its heroes, such as the 180 Occupying the whole top of the Cidneo hill, rooms, together with the oldest and finest of Sant’Eufemia, a short walk from the Upper citizens of Bergamo who followed Garibaldi on one of Brescia’s main green areas, the castle vineyard instituted inside a city, make it City’s distinctive funicular. The historical site and his heroic enterprise. Leaving the Museum, you is the star of the city’s skyline, visible a fascinating place to explore. museum, managed by the Bergamo Historical can walk through the spectacular tower that from every angle. The imposing castle has The castle also houses the Arm Museum Museum, have a special place in the heart of offers stunning 360-degree panoramic views of undergone many renovations which are still Luigi Marzoli and the Museum of the the people of Bergamo. Going up the stairway the city, the Orobian Prealps and the entire plain visible to this day. Built in the Middle Ages Risorgimento dedicated to the Unification that leads to the fortress, you can admire the of Bergamo as far as Milan. The relaxing walk and surviving the Napoleonic era and of Italy. structure of the fortifications from the fourteenth- through the Parco delle Rimembranze (Memorial the Unification of Italy, the castle has been century and the Museum of the nineteenth Park), which houses the fortress, is not to be central to the city’s history up until the start century, which through documents, paintings, missed: along the path, surrounded by greenery, of the 20th century, when it was purchased relics and multimedia technologies tells of the you find tanks, cannons and monuments dedicated by the municipality and opened to the public. transformation of the city during the Risorgimento to divisions of the Italian army. Inside, a dense maze of alleys and hidden Piazzale Brigata Legnano, Bergamo (BG) Via del Castello 9, Brescia (BS) (with restrictions) tel: +39 035 247116 . Opening days: closed on Monday, Christmas Day, and New Years Day; tel. +39 030 2400640. Open: all year. Opening times: variable. Opening times: changeable. Admission: Free. Admission: Castle, free. Arm Museum Luigi Marzoli, charge. [email protected] [email protected] - museodellestorie.bergamo.it bresciamusei.com 6 7 Legend page 74 Legend page 74 Desenzano del Garda Borgo San Giacomo Desenzano Castle Padernello Castle Desenzano del Garda Borgo San Giacomo The imposing castle overlooks the nearby town towers and the battlements through which Legend has it that on the night of the 20 July, death of the last heir. After changing owners of Desenzano and was built as a refuge from visitors can access the keep and admire the ghost of a young woman dressed from a few times, the castle was abandoned in 1961 Barbarian invasions, the Hungarian hordes in the view of the lake and surrounding areas. head to toe in white wanders the halls of the until in 2006 the Padernello Castle Foundation particular, during the Middle Ages. The castle The addition built at the end of the 19th castle, reading from a golden book. The girl started a long series of renovation projects. is first mentioned in an official document of century was originally used as headquarters is Biancamaria, daughter of Count Giuseppe Today the castle hosts a variety of cultural, the 9th century. At the time the castle housed for the officers but is now used for exhibitions Martinengo, who was lured into the castle’s artistic events, food and wine tastings and is the an independent small village inside the walls. and conventions, whereas the addition on the moat by fireflies, and drowned the night of 20 seat of one of the two “Earth Markets” organised Despite losing its military importance with the north-west side of the walls has recently been July 1480. Legends aside, the Padernello Castle by the Slow Food Association in Lombardy. passing of time, it has remained an active and renovated and is used for exhibitions, cultural feels like a castle out of a fairy tale, with its vibrant community. and musical events. working drawbridge and encircling moat. Today all that is left of the original defensive It was built at the end of the 14th century by structure are the walls, the merlon, the four the Martinengo family, who owned it until the Via Fosse Castello, Desenzano del Garda (BS) Loc. Padernello, via Cavour 1, Borgo San Giacomo (BS) (with restrictions) tel. +39 030 9994161. Open: all year. tel. +39 030 9408766. Open: July-September. Opening times: variable. Admission: Castle, free. Keep, charge. [email protected] Opening times: variable. Admission: only paid guided tours. [email protected] comune.desenzano.brescia.it castellodipadernello.it 8 9 Legend page 74 Legend page 74 Pandino Sirmione Rocca Scaligera Visconti Castle Sirmione Pandino Rocca Scaligera in Sirmione was built in the into the central portico and up 146 steps The castle was commissioned in 1355 by the are extremely well preserved and a good 13th century. It is an unusual fortress located to the swallowtail battlements, from there Lord of Milan, Bernabò Visconti, and is one reason alone to visit the castle. on the narrowest part of the peninsula on Lake they can take the recently renovated wooden of the best examples of fortified structures Today the whole complex is owned by Garda and is one of the best-preserved castles staircases up to the high tower to admire of its century. It was meant to be a countryside the local municipality and houses the local in Italy. Surrounded by the lake except for the breathtaking views of Sirmione and Lake residence where the Lord of Milan could engage public library in its stables, whereas the halls the artificially structured harbour, which was Garda. The castle’s vast portico is home to a in one of his favourite pursuits: hunting. are used for cultural events as well as painting originally designed to protect Verona’s fleet, lapidarium and a small exhibition on the The design is similar to other buildings of and photography exhibitions.