Castello di Fagnano Olona – Ph. Depositphotos
The province of Varese, located in the heart of Lombardy, holds a fascinating historical and artistic heritage. Among the forests, lakes and hills that characterize this territory, ancient castles and fortresses emerge that tell centuries of history, battles, noble power and daily life. Visiting these structures means taking a real journey into the past, among medieval atmospheres, frescoed halls, panoramic towers and testimonies of families that have left an indelible mark on local history.
Visconti di San Vito Castle – Somma Lombardo
Among the best-preserved historic residences in Lombardy, the Visconti Castle of San Vito di Somma Lombardo tells nearly seven centuries of history. Rising between the late 13th and early 14th centuries at the behest of the Visconti family, it became a prestigious noble residence over the centuries. The architectural complex, the result of extensions and transformations, combines the sobriety of the medieval fortress with the Renaissance elegance of the courtyards and the 17th-century frescoes commissioned by Count Ermes Visconti. Its rooms hold a rich artistic heritage: pictorial cycles with mythological and religious themes, period furniture, singular collections such as that of “shaving dishes,” and even a 17th-century icehouse. Striking rooms such as the Courtyard of Honor, the aristocratic Chapel and the sumptuous Hall of Honor, frescoed with Greco-Roman deities, stand out. Over the centuries the mansion hosted illustrious figures, including the kings of Italy Victor Emmanuel II and Umberto I. After the death of the last descendant in 1997, the property passed to the Visconti di San Vito Foundation, which is still responsible for preserving its heritage, promoting cultural events and enhancing the history of one of the most influential families of medieval and Renaissance Lombardy.
Masnago Castle – Varese
Nestled in the greenery of Mantegazza Park, whose botanical richness is reminiscent of a small natural garden, Masnago Castle is a precious treasure chest of history and art. Its medieval origin is evidenced by its massive tower, defensive walls and few openings typical of fortifications, to which an elegant 15th-century building and a 17th-century stately wing were added over time. The interior preserves extraordinary pictorial cycles, such as those in the Hall of Leisure, with lively depictions of aristocratic life amid falconry, music and society games, or the Hall of Vices and Virtues, where female allegories compare vices and virtues according to a refined moral program. Alongside these rooms are the Sala della Musica, the Sala della Crocifissione and the Sala delle Colonne, which bear witness to the artistic evolution from International Gothic to the Lombard Renaissance. Today the castle is home to the Varese Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, which houses masterpieces by artists such as Hayez, Cremona, Pellizza, and Enrico Baj, in a fascinating dialogue between past and present.
Castle of Monteruzzo – Castiglione Olona
On the top of a hill overlooking the Renaissance village of Castiglione Olona stands Monteruzzo Castle, a mansion that combines historical charm and cultural vocation. Built in the 16th century as an agricultural residence, it owes its present appearance to the 18th-19th century extensions, when corner turrets, terracotta battlements and machicolations were added, recalling medieval architecture but without a defensive function. The U-shaped structure retains the neoclassical elegance of the manor house, with a portico in the noble court and smooth ashlar decorations. After careful restoration completed in 2005, the castle has been given new life as a Civic Library and Conference Center, becoming a cultural hub hosting exhibitions, events and art shows. Surrounded by a large park, it is also an ideal place for walks and moments of relaxation. From its terrace there is a spectacular view of the village and the Pre-Alps, while historical memory links the residence to Milanese aristocratic families, including that of Carlo Imbonati, remembered by Alessandro Manzoni in a famous ode.
Ph. Nicola Marchesin
Rocca di Angera – Angera
Majestically overlooking Lake Maggiore, the Rocca di Angera is one of the best-preserved fortresses in Lombardy. Owned by the Borromeo family, it houses historic rooms of great value, such as the Hall of Justice, decorated with 14th-century frescoes, and the Museum of Dolls and Toys, the only one of its kind in Italy. Spectacular views of the lake and surrounding mountains can be enjoyed from its towers, making the visit an evocative experience both historically and scenically.
Jerago Castle – Jerago con Orago
Jerago Castle, perched on a hill overlooking the surrounding area, was born as a medieval fortress with defensive functions to protect the Duchy of Milan. Its strategic location made it an integral part of the Visconti family’s military chessboard, and over the centuries its walls offered shelter to populations during sieges and battles, such as those between the French and Spanish in the 16th century. Assigned as early as 1248 to a branch of the Visconti family, the manor was the scene of illustrious events: exponents linked to prominent figures of the Lombard Renaissance, such as the condottiere Carmagnola and the ducal secretary Cicco Simonetta, lived here. Transformed into a noble residence in the 18th century by the Bossi family, it was enriched with large terraced gardens, panoramic windows and stately rooms. Today, after restoration work supervised in the 1960s by the BBPR studio, the castle is a refined private historic residence, surrounded by woods and meadows that extend to the Ticino Park. Particularly striking is the Romanesque church of San Giacomo, adjacent to the complex, which in the Middle Ages was a stopover for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. With its Renaissance gardens, views stretching as far as Mount Rosa and spaces that host events and weddings, Jerago Castle represents a rare balance of history, nature and tradition.
Visconti Castle of Fagnano Olona – Fagnano Olona
Nestled in the Olona valley, the Visconti Castle of Fagnano Olona is one of the oldest and most significant vestiges of the medieval defense system of the Contado del Seprio. Its origin probably dates back to the 13th century, but more remote traces suggest a garrison as early as Roman times. Its strategic position, at a point of transit and trade, made the fortress the object of contention between the Della Torre and Visconti families, until it became a permanent possession of the latter from 1257 to the late 18th century.
The castle came into being with a four-sided plan, four buildings around the courtyard, Ghibelline battlements and two corner towers. In the sixteenth century Gaspare Visconti enlarged the structure, doubling its area towards the south and equipping it with an elegant Baroque portal with ashlar and columns, still among its most representative elements. Despite modifications and restorations, the 15th-century part retains its medieval character: the moat (now drained), the access bridge, the Visconti coat of arms with the bison, and traces of polychrome frescoes in the inner courtyard. Inside, rooms such as the stone staircase, double-height ceilings and decorative remains testify to the former prestige of the mansion.
Today the restored castle is the seat of the Municipality of Fagnano Olona: a building that combines its administrative function with historical and symbolic value, continuing to represent the heart of the community and a valuable link to the history of the Visconti family.
Ph. Depositphotos
Castles and fortresses in the province of Varese are not only ancient stone architectures, but authentic custodians of memories spanning centuries of history. Each of them carries with it a unique identity: from the frescoed halls of the Visconti Castle of San Vito to the cultural vocation of Masnago, to the solemnity of the Fortress of Angera, to noble residences such as Jerago, Monteruzzo and Fagnano Olona. To visit these places is to immerse oneself in a fascinating blend of art, legends and landscapes, experiencing a journey that combines the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, local traditions and natural horizons. An itinerary among the fortresses of Varese is, therefore, an experience that gives timeless emotions, capable of telling the history of the area and making each visit an indelible memory.
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