The origins of “Visconti di San Vito” Castle go back to the 9th century, but until half of 15th century it was merely the site of church St Agnes with belfry tower.
Castello Visconti di San Vito
It was aquired by brothers Francesco and Guido Visconti, who slowly transferred it into the powerfull fortress of the Dukes of Milan, and it is still one of the main historical buildings of northern Italy. Inhabited by the Visconti di San Vito until 1997, the castle recently has been opened for the visitors and features five large chambers suitable for conference meetings of up to 200 people, and for wedding parties with nomber of guests reaching 400.
The Visconti brothers had some quarrels, which were solved by building two residences spreding into two opposite directions. The North section included part of the village with church of San Vito.
Later the separate buildings were merged by Don Marquis Alberto Visconti di San Vito into one property, which looks like a large square withthree castles built around three large courtyards and refined with porches each with private entrance.
Today the castle features 18th century frescos attribuited to Procaccini, the private chapel devoted to the Virgin Mary, the existing most numerous collection of shaving plates, the collection of Spanish arms and armours from 16th century, the Royal Bedroom, thus named in honour of the Italian Royal family guest of the Visconti family, the precious collection of 360 stuffed birds, the important library which contains over 30.000 books and, finally, the collection of cinerary urns of Golasecca civilization (IX-II century B.C.).
The Castle Visconti, sometimes reffered as Somma Castle is within 10 min drive from Malpensa airport, and 40 min from Milan near the motorway A8.
Opening hours
Sat,Sun and holidays from April till October
10.00 -11.30 and 14.30 – 18.30
Somma Lombardo,VA
Phone : 0039-0331-256337
[ photo courtesy of otomatuah]
