Motella

Motella: An Adventure in the Past

Hello friends! Today I want to talk to you about Motella, a charming hamlet in the municipality of Borgo San Giacomo, in the province of Brescia. This small town can boast an ancient and interesting history, and above all many monuments and places of interest.

History

Motella was ruled for centuries by the noble family of Martinengo, among which stands out the name of Leandro Martinengo. This territory was part of an independent municipality, together with the hamlet of Padernello, from 1816 to 1859.

Motella: history and monuments of an ancient village in Brescia.

Monuments and places of interest

The castle of Motella, built in 1395, is one of the most interesting monuments to visit. The oldest part of the castle developed on a rectangular perimeter, with a large upper attic, surrounded by a moat fed by the Mulino canal. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the castle was also expanded to the south. Currently, unfortunately, the castle has been reduced to a warehouse and storage, but a part of the roof was restored in 1981.

Another building of great interest is the parish church of Saints Fabiano and Sebastiano, built between the end of the fifteenth and the beginning of the sixteenth century. The ancient church was demolished in 1770 and completely destroyed at the end of the 1800s, but it was rebuilt starting from 1770 and inaugurated in 1780. It is said that the architect was the famous Abbot Antonio Marchetti.

Finally, we cannot forget the Martinengo mill, located near the castle. This mill was one of the reference points of the town for many years. Today, unfortunately, the mill has been abandoned and fallen into ruins.

Conclusions

Motella is a small town rich in history, monuments, and curiosities. Despite many of its monuments being abandoned or destroyed, it remains a fascinating place to visit. If you happen to be passing through Borgo San Giacomo, take the opportunity to stop by Motella and discover all its secrets!

Chiara Russo
Wrote by Chiara Russo
Updated Tuesday, Apr 26, 2022