Municipal Funds to Restore Historic Castle and Surroundings

The 170 million euros resulting from the surplus management will be allocated for the restoration of the castle. The Municipal Council recently decided to invest these funds in repairing and consolidating the castle’s walls, which are the last remaining testimonies of a superb fortification dating back to the medieval period.

Restoration interventions and materials

The intervention involves a sottomurazione operation for the unstable sections, while the damaged parts of the walls, where fragments and detachments of stone have occurred, will be reconstructed.

During the works, it has been specified, the same original materials currently lying at the base of the walls will be used.

Area management and activities

The Municipal Administration has recognized the value of the 5,000 square meters of area, on which some century-old olive trees constitute a particularly evocative decorative element.

The surface will continue to host events of particular importance, as has happened in the past.

Restoration work and environmental improvements

The restoration works will also extend to the slopes of the hill that form the base of the ruins of the ancient manor.

These will be cleared of invasive plants and enriched with new indigenous trees, also to add a decorative touch to the nearby Municipal Palace.

The start of the works is scheduled for the early months of next year.

Funding and priorities

Given the urgency of the intervention, public administrators preferred to follow the shortest route, allocating their own funds instead of resorting to a loan.

The castle works follow shortly after the recent completion of the consolidation of the town hall tower, which underscores a particular focus on that site, the heart of the entire village.

History of the castle

The first construction of the fortification dates back to the 12th century, shortly after the invasions of the Huns and Hungarians, who laid waste to the entire Valtenesi.

The villages were forced to build walls, towers, and defensive structures to protect the inhabitants.

Centuries passed, and the castle became the property of the Duke of Este, who donated it to Captain Tebaldo da Puegnago in recognition of his military services.

The nearby tower was built in 1827 and inaugurated with great celebrations on June 14 of the same year.

However, it is likely that a battlement of the castle already stood at that site.