Top 18 Castles around Alta Val Tidone

Il Castello di Monticello (Gazzola, PC) is a 14th-century medieval fortification strategically located between Val Trebbia and Val Luretta. Mentioned since 1372, it is known for its war events, including a battle in 1945. It was a fief of the Arcelli family and, despite war damage, retains its quadrangular structure.

Il Castello di Monticello (Gazzola, PC) is a 14th-century medieval fortification located on the ridge between Valtrebbia and Valluretta. Mentioned since 1372, it was long owned by the Arcelli family and, after being passed to the Farnese and other families, it returned to the Arcelli family in the 19th century. In 1945 it was the scene of partisan battles.

However, the church of Monticello is dedicated to Saint Stephen :-)

Monticello Castle, of strategic importance due to its location on the ridge of the Trebbia and Luretta valleys and its role in the entrenched camp, was first mentioned in 1372 when it was occupied by papal troops.

Monticello Castle was first mentioned in 1372, when it was occupied by troops loyal to the Pope during an anti-Visconti uprising. Located on the ridge that divides Val Trebbia and Val Luretta, Monticello Castle represents a pleasant and harmonious whole from a landscape point of view with the surrounding hilly environment typical of the lower Piacenza Apennines (540 meters above sea level). The structure has an irregular quadrangular plan, but currently shows the clearly visible signs of the various and heterogeneous architectural modifications and additions undergone over the centuries. The front of the castle is on the eastern side, which is dominated by the mass of the portal, equipped in ancient times with a drawbridge; a sturdy square tower rises to the left of the entrance to guard the south side, while two round turrets are placed to protect the north side. The interior develops around two courtyards of different proportions, facing the main buildings, used as homes. All around the fortress, structures of an evidently agricultural nature have arisen in more recent times, which have little to do with the original structure and which emphasize its hybrid aspect, but at the same time soften its forms. The castle is currently used as the headquarters of a local agricultural company, but it is worth noting the stark contrast between the unused parts of the building, almost at risk of collapse in some places, and the inhabited parts, which are better preserved.

The Castle was first mentioned in a document from 1001. On this occasion, Bishop Sigifredo granted the Benedictine monks of San Savino (Piacenza) some land, including the area of the Castle. The building has a trapezoidal plan and has four circular towers. The first of the four towers dates back to around the year 1000, which only later became four. The Castle was often the scene of clashes and battles. In 1212, the Guelphs of Piacenza took refuge there, threatened by the Ghibellines of Visconti, but they were worsted because they were defeated later in two battles. In the fourteenth century, the Castle was inhabited by Gabriello Boccapiccina, then it passed to the Chiapponi family. When the Chiapponi family died out, in the eighteenth century they were replaced by the Scotti di San Giorgio, who profoundly adapted the building, transforming it into a stately home. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the Castle belonged for a short period to the Lombardi of Genoa; it was then sold to Eng. Giuseppe Manfredi, who had it restored by Prof. Camillo Guidotti. From 1930 to 1987, the building was owned by the Ursuline Mothers of Piacenza. Today, the Castle is used by the current owner as a venue for private events.

An important battle of the Liberation struggle took place here at the castle of Monticello, between 15 and 16 April 1945, in which a handful of partisans barricaded in the castle resisted and repelled a large Nazi-fascist troop of 450 men. Here is an exciting documentation: https://www.rivalta-trebbia.it/battaglia-di-monticello/

The history of this castle has been tormented, many changes of hands conditioned by bloody events, frauds and family extinctions due to lack of heirs. In 1412 it was owned by the Arcelli family (who were most likely responsible for the first construction). Arranged on a rectangular plan with five stone and brick towers. Four towers that stand out from the corners and an entrance donjon in the center of the north-west façade. The towers have different shapes but all are quadrangular and have battlements covered by roofs. The structure is made of stone except for the projections of the towers which are made of bricks. Although externally it still appears to be in good condition, the complex has significant stability problems.