Scaldasole

The Castle of Scaldasole: an ancient history rich in events

The Castle of Scaldasole is a majestic construction located in the province of Pavia, with an ancient history and numerous changes in ownership.

The original core of the castle was built between the 10th and 12th centuries and was a fief of the noble family Campeggi. Later, it passed to the Folperti di Scaldasole family, who enriched it with the construction of the ricetto, a vast rectangular fortified courtyard.

Later, the castle passed to the Marquis Malaspina, who enriched it with a portico and a loggia, and the architectural complex, with its seven medieval towers, Renaissance vaults, and chimneys, hosted over time some illustrious figures, including Isabella d'Aragona and Charles V of Habsburg.

The castle underwent numerous changes in ownership between the 15th and 17th centuries, including the passage to the Visconti family, Giovanni Pietro da Sesto, the Malaspina family, Count Rinaldo Tettoni, Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio of Como, the Gallio Trivulzio Dukes of Alvito, and then the noble Giovanni Antonio Strada di Garlasco, whose descendants still own it today.

The description of the Castle of Scaldasole

The Castle of Scaldasole presents itself with the layout of the Visconti plain fortifications, with a rectangular central courtyard delimited by corner towers equipped with external battlements, a moat, and a barbican with a drawbridge at the entrance.

The main characteristic of the Castle is the presence of the ricetto, consisting of three buildings attached to the castle with two twin towers and a central one at the eastern entrance. Overall, the complex includes five towers: one serves as the entrance to the ricetto, while the remaining ones are located at the corners of the castle.

The Castle of Scaldasole: history and charm of medieval architecture.

Notes and bibliography on the Castle of Scaldasole

To learn more about the Castle of Scaldasole, it is possible to consult various bibliographic sources, including "Castelli del Ducato di Milano" by Luca Beltrami and "I castelli della Lombardia. Provincia di Pavia" by Gian Giacomo Tauriello.

Furthermore, it is possible to visit the Castle of Scaldasole and enjoy a wonderful experience immersed in the history and beauty of medieval architecture.

Matteo Ferrari
Updated Sunday, May 29, 2022