Castello di Frinco: A Medieval Castle in Piedmont, Italy

Visitor Information

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Official Website: www.lastoriadifrinco.it

Country: Italy

Civilization: Unclassified

Remains: Military

History

The Castello di Frinco stands in the municipality of Frinco in modern-day Italy. Constructed during the medieval period, it was established by local powers within the context of northern Italy’s feudal and political landscape.

The earliest written references to the castle date back to 1288, while the village of Frinco appears in records from 1177, indicating the castle’s emergence during a period of growing settlement in the Monferrato area. By the mid-13th century, specifically from around 1250, ownership of the castle belonged to the Pelletta family, a prominent banking dynasty based in Asti. In the early 14th century, control passed to another banking family known as the Turco, who maintained possession until 1342.

Following a period of local strife linked to the historic conflict between Guelph and Ghibelline factions, the castle changed hands through imperial intervention. In 1355, Emperor Charles IV awarded the fortress to Marquis Giovanni II of Monferrato, marking its integration into the marquisate’s holdings. Later, in 1438, Emperor Albert II declared Frinco an imperial fief, further emphasizing the castle’s strategic and political importance in the region.

From 1442 onward, the noble Mazzetti family assumed control of the castle and retained it for centuries. They rose to the rank of marquises in 1733, underscoring their elevated status. During the Thirty Years’ War in 1630, the Mazzetti defenders resisted an assault by French forces; however, the attackers eventually took the castle by tunneling underneath its defenses, a mining technique used in siege warfare. In addition to their military role, the Mazzetti exercised the privilege of minting coins, a right that symbolized both economic influence and autonomy.

In the 19th century, ownership transferred to the Incisa di Camerana family in 1829. During World War I, specifically between 1915 and 1918, the castle’s function shifted dramatically as it was requisitioned to serve as a prison camp for Austro-Hungarian military detainees. A commemorative plaque marking this chapter was unveiled in 2016 in the presence of representatives from the Austrian Red Cross.

Following the war, the castle became a center for education under the Josephine Fathers, who used part of the structure as a gymnasium institute. The castle’s role once again changed in the early 1960s when it was acquired by the Morlini company, which established a poultry farm on the grounds. The business eventually failed, leading to a period of neglect and seizure by creditors.

In 1992, the property was bought by the Pica Alfieri family. More recently, the castle faced challenges due to landslides in 2011 and 2014, which caused structural damage and endangered nearby buildings, including the adjacent church. Recognizing its cultural value, the municipality of Frinco purchased the castle in 2019 and began efforts to restore and stabilize the site starting in 2020.

Remains

Perched atop a hill with a commanding view of the surrounding village, the Castello di Frinco features a complex arrangement of interconnected buildings reflecting its development over centuries. The main construction employs traditional brickwork characteristic of medieval fortifications in the Piedmont region.

The oldest surviving structure within the complex is a tall, circular tower located at the western corner of the castle. This tower, built of brick, forms a prominent defensive feature dating back to the earliest phase of the castle’s history.

Access into the castle is gained through a fortified entrance marked by a portico composed of large arches. This gate area is safeguarded by a metal grate, contributing to the security of the stronghold. Beyond the entrance lies a lower courtyard that provides entry to subterranean spaces, including former warehouses and kitchen facilities. These underground areas reveal the practical arrangements necessary for storage and food preparation within a medieval fortress.

A second courtyard sits at a higher elevation, separated visually and physically from the lower level by a balcony. This tiered layout suggests adaptations to the natural landscape and strategic design to control movement through the castle grounds.

Inside, some rooms preserve stucco decorations attributed to the 17th century, indicating a period of refurbishment or embellishment during Mazzetti family tenure. During the time when the Josephine Fathers administered the castle in the 20th century, one of the chambers was repurposed as a chapel, reflecting changes in the castle’s internal function aligned with its educational use.

Together, these architectural elements illustrate the Castello di Frinco’s long history of military defense, noble residence, and later institutional reuse, with layers of construction and modification visible in its surviving fabric. Restoration efforts continue to safeguard this heritage for the future.