Verrès Castle

The Castle of Verrès (Italian: Castello di Verrès) is a fortified 14th century castle in the town Challand-Saint-Anselme of the Aosta Valley region of north-western Italy. It has been called one of the most impressive buildings from the Middle Ages in the area[1].

Every year the castle hosts the Historic Carnival in Verrès, which celebrates the legends of Countess Caterina of Challant[2].

Contents

History

Ibleto of Challant, according to an inscription in the manor wall, reads that the building was finished in the year 1390[1][3] by the counts of Challant. It was then renovated in the year 1536 by Renato di Challant[3] in an effort to refortify the tower and to adapt it to the use of modern firearms[4]. This included equipping the fortress offensively with embrasures, buttresses and polygonal turrets built for the suitability of cannons and spingardes. In 1565, with Renato dying with no sons and thus heirless, the castle was acquired by the Savoy family.

Due to the strategically advantageous position of Bard, by the year 1661, after expropriation to the Duchy of Savoy, Duke Charles Emanuel II transferred all of the armaments to the fortress at Bard. Finally, in the year 1696, the Challants took possession of the Castle. It remained in their family lineage until the 19th century[2] when their last member died. Verrès Castle has since become a national monument, and throughout the few centuries that it was defunct under the Challant ownership, it underwent significant damage. In 1896 it was bought by the Italian state who have since then given it to the Aosta Region[1].

Description

Verrès has a large tower; its dimensions being cubical with all sides measuring 30 meters[1][4], which acted duly as a defense and housing accommodations for its inhabitants. The tower is 3 stories tall and is accessible by a large grand staircase.It stands above the river Evançon on the rocky cliffside which also overlooks the commune that lies below it[4] on one side and the castle courtyard on the other. Access to the castle could be limited after employing the drawbridge.

The castle's features include the grand staircase, stone vaults, several large fireplaces, and decorative pillars.

References

  1. ^ a b c d "In-Italia - Verres Castle". http://www.in-italia.com/texti_40.asp. Retrieved 2009-01-23. 
  2. ^ a b "Regione Autonoma Verres". http://www.regione.vda.it/turismo/cultura/castelli/verres_e.asp. Retrieved 2009-01-23. 
  3. ^ a b Italian Castles. http://books.google.com/books?id=DlWs23UxwrAC&pg=PA6&lpg=PA6&dq=verres+castle+history&source=web&ots=3aNwDHrMlJ&sig=8g_IEd-bpjvfyxhHHTtAjUjYX2s&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=9&ct=result. Retrieved 2009-01-23. 
  4. ^ a b c "The castle of Verrès". http://www.montavic.it/es7.php?id=2695&idLingua=3&idCheCosa=1. Retrieved 2009-01-23. 

External links