A unique place for a unique day Castello di Piovera in Piedmont:
The castle was built as a fortress to defend the territory in the 14th century on the earlier ruins of a Roman structure, of Lombard and Carolingian origin (Castrum Pioperae). The castle was reconstructed in the 16th century and in the late Baroque period with new trends that, however, did not affect its original structure. It has retained its original appearance despite many military coups and attacks.
For two hundred years Di Mandello ruled the lands under the orders of first the Visconti and then the Sforza, both families, lords of the Duchy of Milan, of which Piovera became part in 300. In the second half of the 500s, during Spanish rule, it was awarded the Order of the General by Don Alvaro de Sande, inaugurating by this an endowment for the title marquional (granted by King Philip II of Spain in 1573).
At about 1615 it passed to Don Carlo Homodeo, and in 1650 it was sold by the latter’s son, Agostino, to the Genoese nobleman Francesco Maria Balbi. In 1713, after the War of the Spanish Succession, Piovera was annexed to the territories of Vittorio Amedeo II of Savoy. The last feudal lord of Savoy-before feudal possession as an institution disappeared-was Giacomo Francesco Maria Balbi, named Vittorio Amedeo III in 1790.
The Balbi Marquises, however, retained possession of the castle and the vast agricultural area until the twentieth century, carrying out major restorations that transformed the mighty fourteenth-century fortress into a stately and romantic country house. The last heirs, the nobles Doria and Odescalchi, handed it over to the current owner and his cousin, Count Niccolò Calvi Di Bergolo, in 1967. The latter has created inside the castle and in the garden impressive and interesting historical and artistic routes open to the public, which are accompanied by his charismatic presence.
In this castle you can go truffle hunting, have lunch or dinner, or go on a guided tour (the tour is conducted exclusively in English and Italian).
It is essential to book a tour and any event in advance.
At this castle you can also take a very interesting quest: “Leonardo’s Genius” dedicated to the secrets of Leonardo da Vinci
You will have a unique and exciting experience in a majestic manor house, immersing yourself in the history and art of Leonardo da Vinci, exploring the secrets and mysteries of the famous genius. Inside the castle, you’ll have to collect clues, solve puzzles and decipher codes to unravel the mystery surrounding Leonardo and his artefacts. Challenge your creativity and logic, test your teamwork skills and immerse yourself in the historic atmosphere of the castle as you explore the legends and mysteries surrounding this great inventor.
An immersive and challenging game that will challenge your creativity and logic, test your teamwork skills and immerse you in the historic atmosphere of the castle as you explore the legends and mysteries surrounding this great inventor.
