The magic of Varesotto's castles

A tour of Varesotto's castles: an itinerary to discover a regional area where time seems to stand still.

A frontier territory and a necessary passageway by land and sea, Varesotto was fought over by numerous local lords who held power here between the 11th and 16th centuries.

The region had to fortify itself with defensive structures that initially prevented transalpine invasions and then acted as a protective belt around the Duchy of Milan.

Now that the need for protection has disappeared, today the fortresses, signal towers, and castles of Varesotto stand proudly between lakes, mountains, and plains, eager to reveal the richness of their glorious and industrious past to visitors.

The region represents a heritage of cultural importance that has not always received the attention it deserves in terms of tourism, but which undeniably represents regional excellence that must be preserved and protected.

Rich in medieval walls, stunning frescoes, and enchanting gardens, here is a selection of castles in Varesotto that are truly worth the visit.

1. Rocca di Angera — The first stop on our tour to discover Varesotto's castles is Rocca D'Angera, which was built during the 12th century by the bishops of Milan on a rocky spur dominating the southern shore of Lake Maggiore. Its strategic position allowed it to control local traffic, which was the cause of the dispute between the Torriani and Visconti families.

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2. Castello Castiglioni Mantegazza — Our tour continues to an historical medieval fortification that was built between the 11th and 13th centuries on a hill to the southeast of Lake Varese. The castle's defensive function is evidenced by its square tower, which still survives today. The fortress was completed in the 15th century by the construction of the 15th-century castle, which was added to the eastern side of the tower and inside which visitors can admire an important series of profane frescoes in the courtly Gothic style.

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3. Castello di Monteruzzo — For our third stop, we will visit the castle of Monteruzzo, situated on the top of the hill above the village of Castiglione Olona. It is a building that dates back to the 16th century and was originally an agricultural residence: it owes its current appearance to extensions that were added during the 1700s and the 1800s, when the two turrets were built and the north wing was extended.

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4. Castello di Fagnano Olona — Not far from the previous stop, our tour of Varesotto's castles continues to a manor built near the Olona River whose origins date back to between the 10th and 12th centuries, although the buildings around the inner courtyard and the two towers were built a little later. This structure was restored in the 16th century by Gaspare Visconti, heir to Vitalino Visconti Borromeo, who received the title of Count of Fagnano from Charles V in 1551.

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5. Castello Visconti di San Vito — Our panorama concludes with a visit to Castello di San Vito, which was built during the thirteenth century as a defensive fortress and initially inhabited by Pietro Visconti. Over the years, the structure underwent significant transformations, beginning in 1448 after the proclamation of the Ambrosian Republic and the settlement of Francesco and Guido Visconti, and continuing until the end of the 1500s.

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