Arnad Upper Castle, Arnad, Italy

The upper castle of Arnad is mentioned first time in a papal letter in 1207, but there is no information about its origins or first owners. It was probably built by Saverio di Arnad in the late 12th or early 13th century.

The next owners, Vallaise family, lived in the castle throughout the 14th century. Due to the inadequacy of the structure and the lost military function, the castle was abandoned in the 15th century.

Today the castle lies in ruins.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Gianluca Talento (4 years ago)
It is one of the oldest castles in the Aosta Valley, protecting the Via Francigena. It is reduced to a ruin because it has been abandoned for centuries. All the windows in worked stone have been torn up and removed. But it is possible to climb and walk on what were once the parts of a castle whose charm goes back through the centuries up to the 13th century. Worth a detour

Samuele Ermoli (5 years ago)
Not open to visitors, completely fenced. It is not worth the climb. Better the view from the valley.

Raphaël SM (5 years ago)
beautiful castle, however, after a security, it is left to itself and not valued at all

Jean Paul Voyat (6 years ago)
Old tower in a nice wild place. Great view on the central Aosta valley.

mathias didas (7 years ago)
La vu es magnifique.

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Sigmaringen Castle

Sigmaringen Castle was first mentioned in the year 1077 in the chronicles of Petershausen monastery. The oldest parts of the castle are concealed beneath the alterations made during the 17th and the 19th centuries. The secret of the earliest settlement built on this defendable rock will never be fully revealed: large-scale excavation work would be necessary, which the extensive land development renders impossible. Judging from the many Roman remains unearthed in the area around Sigmaringen, the 12th century keep known as the 'Roman Tower' could be traced back to a Roman predecessor.

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These remains give us a good idea of how the castle might have looked during the 12th century.

Arnad Upper Castle

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