• Villages
    • Art & Culture

Soncino Castle

Where
Rocca Sforzesca, Soncino (CR)

Our tour begins in Soncino, a medieval town located around 40 km from Cremona, whose walled historic centre is filled with noble palaces decorated with terracotta friezes.

Recognised as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, its most striking feature is Soncino Castle, designed for the Sforza family by Bartolomeo Gadio and constructed between 1473 and 1475. This imposing military structure, built around a pre-existing tower, was gradually modified into a residential castle through a series of decorative upgrades.

Unfortunately, by the time Massimiliano Cesare Stampa, the last Marquess of Soncino, left it to the town in 1876, it was in a state of disrepair. The Ministry of Public Education commissioned architect Luca Beltrami to restore the castle, drawing on rigorous historical research to preserve the ancient structure as accurately as possible.

Today, Soncino Castle is one of the most iconic and best preserved examples of Lombard architecture. 28 metres tall and 73 metres wide, it is divided into two distinct quadrilateral structures, including moats, corner towers, drawbridges, swallowtail battlements and perimeter ramparts. 

However, the castle is not Soncino's only draw. Set apart by its industrial architecture, the Silk Museum is definitely worth a visit, allowing you to follow the entire production process (from silkworm to fabric). Alternatively, you can head to the Museum of Printing, where the first Hebrew Bible was printed in 1488, to admire the historic printing equipment.

If you love history, be sure to check out the belltower of the Church of  Santa Maria Assunta, the octagonal tower of the Church of San Giacomo, and the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie outside the walls.

Take me here: Soncino Castle

Places

The Sforza Fortress in Soncino

The best-maintained castle in Lombardy
  • Art & Culture
The Sforza Fortress in Soncino
40 mt

Soncino

Rye and canals surround the red brick walls: this is Soncino, a walled village and an oasis of Renaissance beauty in the countryside.
  • Villages
@inlombardia
41 mt

Civic Archaeological Museum Aquaria

  • Art & Culture
Civic Archaeological Museum Aquaria
41 mt

The Silk Museum

  • Art & Culture
The Silk Museum
97 mt

San Giacomo Church

  • Art & Culture
San Giacomo Church
254 mt

Rocca Sforzesca

Built in the 10th century, Rocca Sforzesca is one of the best-preserved traditional examples of military architecture.
  • Art & Culture
Rocca Sforzesca
304 mt

Santa Maria Assunta Church

  • Art & Culture
Santa Maria Assunta Church
348 mt

The Printing Museum

  • Art & Culture
The Printing Museum
391 mt

Santa Maria delle Grazie Church

  • Art & Culture
Santa Maria delle Grazie Church
487 mt

Print Museum

Set up inside the so-called 'Casa degli Stampatori' in Soncino, the museum displays presses, composites and typographic boxes
  • Art & Culture
Print Museum
514 mt

Santa Maria della Neve Church

  • Art & Culture
Santa Maria della Neve Church
2.35 km

Park North Oglio

  • Parks
Park North Oglio
4.18 km

Padernello Castle

A legend say that Padernello Castel, situated in Borgo San Giacomo (BS), is home for the ghost of a young woman dressed in white wanders.
  • Art & Culture
Padernello Castle
10.41 km

Santa Maria in Bressanoro Church

  • Art & Culture
Santa Maria in Bressanoro Church
12.73 km

Santa Maria della Croce Sanctuary

  • Religious Tourism
Santa Maria della Croce Sanctuary
13.79 km

San Giuseppe Church

  • Art & Culture
San Giuseppe Church
14.04 km

Isso Tower

  • Art & Culture
Isso Tower
14.13 km

Trinity Church

  • Art & Culture
Trinity Church
14.2 km

The Crib Church

  • Art & Culture
The Crib Church
14.31 km

Saint Rocco Church

  • Art & Culture
Saint Rocco Church
14.48 km

Where to sleep

SONCINO MON AMOUR

Soncino
SONCINO MON AMOUR
535 mt

MOLINO ANTICO

Soncino
MOLINO ANTICO
570 mt

PEDALI E PETALI BED AND BIKE B&B

Soncino
PEDALI E PETALI BED AND BIKE B&B
570 mt

LA PISTOIA

Soncino
LA PISTOIA
1.65 km

BES HOTEL CREMONA SONCINO

Soncino
BES HOTEL CREMONA SONCINO
1.89 km

MADONNINA DELL'OGLIO

Orzinuovi
MADONNINA DELL'OGLIO
2.21 km

ADISARTUR ELEGANT ROOMS

ORZINUOVI
ADISARTUR ELEGANT ROOMS
4.29 km

GAMBERO

Orzinuovi
GAMBERO
4.66 km

OSTELLO MOLINO DI BASSO AD2 SRLS

Torre Pallavicina
OSTELLO MOLINO DI BASSO AD2 SRLS
5.53 km

CASCINA SAN GERMIGNANO

Fontanella
CASCINA SAN GERMIGNANO
6.63 km

L'ANTICO FIENILE

ORZIVECCHI
L'ANTICO FIENILE
7.63 km

MAGLI MASSIMILIANO

ROCCAFRANCA
MAGLI MASSIMILIANO
7.74 km

THE IURS NEST

Orzivecchi
THE IURS NEST
8.03 km

ORZIHOTEL (MOTEL)

Orzivecchi
ORZIHOTEL (MOTEL)
8.52 km

ORZIHOTEL (MOTEL) DIPENDENZA

Orzivecchi
ORZIHOTEL (MOTEL) DIPENDENZA
8.52 km

CA' DEL FACCO

Salvirola
CA' DEL FACCO
9.32 km

LA SUGHERA

Rudiano
LA SUGHERA
9.38 km

CASA NONNA RICA

CALCIO
CASA NONNA RICA
9.62 km

VILLA CERVI

Fiesco
VILLA CERVI
9.83 km

LE CAVETE

Rudiano
LE CAVETE
9.92 km