Castle of Verzuolo: A Historic Fortress and Residence in Piedmont, Italy

Visitor Information

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Country: Italy

Civilization: Early Modern, Medieval European

Site type: Domestic

Remains: Palace

History

The Castle of Verzuolo is situated near the town of Verzuolo in Italy. It was originally built in the 11th century by medieval inhabitants of the Piedmont region as a fortified stronghold to protect the surrounding lands.

During the late 14th century, specifically in 1377, Frederick II, Marquess of Saluzzo, ordered the castle’s demolition and reconstruction on a larger scale. This rebuilding effort focused on strengthening the castle’s defenses, reflecting its importance as the main fortress within the Marquisate of Saluzzo. The castle continued to evolve under subsequent marquesses, each adding enhancements that reinforced its military role and strategic significance.

In 1529, the castle served as a prison when Giovanni Ludovico, Marquess of Saluzzo, was held captive within its walls. This episode illustrates the castle’s function not only as a defensive fortress but also as a place for political confinement.

Around the year 1600, the castle underwent a notable transformation when its facade was remodeled to shift its appearance from a military fortress to an elegant mansion. This change marked a new phase in the castle’s history, as it began to serve as a luxurious summer residence for prominent figures such as Charles Emmanuel I, Duke of Savoy, and the distinguished typographer Giambattista Bodoni.

In the early 20th century, after the extinction of the counts of Verzuolo family line, ownership of the castle passed to Amedeo Mola di Larissé. Following this transfer, the castle entered a period of decline and neglect. A significant event occurred on June 18, 1916, when one of the two original rectangular towers collapsed, destroying a large portion of the castle’s archives and important historical documents related to the region of Piedmont. Later, in 1938, the remaining rectangular tower along with the Belvedere tower were demolished, further altering the castle’s structure.

In July 2022, the castle was sold to Om.e.g Srl, a property development company with plans to convert the historic site into a hotel or tourist facility, indicating a new chapter in its long history.

Remains

The original design of the Castle of Verzuolo included two rectangular towers and a Belvedere tower, forming a defensive complex characteristic of medieval fortifications. These towers likely played both surveillance and defensive roles within the fortress’s layout.

One of the rectangular towers collapsed in 1916, causing not only structural damage but also the loss of extensive archival material housed within the castle. The collapse marked a dramatic change in the castle’s physical and historical record. The remaining rectangular tower and the Belvedere tower were later demolished in 1938, removing key components of the castle’s original fortified profile.

The structure’s facade underwent significant alteration around 1600, when it was renovated to reflect the transition from fortress to stately mansion. This facade renovation suggests that the castle was adapted for residential comfort and aesthetic appeal, although specific decorative details or construction materials from this period are not documented.

Today, the site retains limited visible elements from its medieval and early modern phases due to the loss of the towers and structural changes. The surviving remains evoke the castle’s layered history, spanning from its fortified origins to its later use as a noble residence, preserving the memory of its evolving role in the region’s heritage.