Castelseprio Archaeological Park and Antiquarium

Castrum Sibrium, located between a plateau and the Olona River valley, has been a military stronghold since Roman times.

The Castelseprio Archaeological Park is a historic site nestled in the green landscape of the Varese province, in Italy. Set among hills and forests, this site represents an ancient fortified area dating back to the Roman and Lombard periods and has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Castelseprio Archaeological Park is of great historical value you need to visit during your next trip to Italy, with roots tracing back to the Roman and Lombard eras. Castelseprio, an ancient fortification, reached its peak in the 6th century as a Lombard military and religious center. Destroyed by the Visconti in 1287, it fell into ruin until its rediscovery in the 20th century. The castrum is surrounded by impressive fortified walls, also protecting the valley outpost known as the Monastery of Torba.

In the 1950s, research and excavations began and continue to this day, uncovering remains of the castrum and its towers, part of the Basilica of St. John the Evangelist with an adjacent cistern and bell tower, a small baptistery with two baptismal fonts, a church dedicated to St. Paul, and the remains of a late medieval convent.

Today, the park offers visitors the chance to explore the ruins of the ancient village and the city walls, admiring remains of religious and civil buildings that testify to Castelseprio's strategic importance in the past. Among these, the Church of Santa Maria foris portas is the highlight, famous for its Byzantine frescoes from the Early Middle Ages. A visit to the Castelseprio Archaeological Park provides a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in history amid ancient ruins and pristine natural landscapes, ideal for nature enthusiasts.

"THE LOMBARDS IN ITALY. THE PLACES OF POWER (568-774 AD)"

Since 2011, the castrum with the Tower of Torba and the Church of Santa Maria foris portas in Castelseprio have become part of a serial UNESCO world heritage site, alongside with seven other monument groups, highlighting the significant role of the Lombard people in the spiritual and cultural development of Europe during the transition from Antiquity to the Middle Ages.