Issogne Castle, Issogne, Italy

Issogne Castle is one of the most famous manors of the region, and is located on the right bank of the Dora Baltea. As a seigniorial residence of the Renaissance, the Castle has quite a different look from that of the austere Verrès Castle, which is located in Verrès, on the opposite bank of the river.

Issogne Castle is most noteworthy for its fountain in the form of pomegranate tree and its highly decorated portico, a rare example of medieval Alpine painting, with its frescoed cycle of scenes of daily life from the late Middle Ages.

The earliest mention of the castle of Issogne is in a Papal bull issued by Pope Eugene III in 1151. Some walling discovered in the cellars of the current castle may be evidence of a Roman villa, dating from the 1st century BC, on the site.

The castle was restored in the 15th century by Ibleto of Challant. The current appearance developed between 1490 and 1510 under George of Challant, who transformed it into a luxurious residence for his cousin Margaret de La Chambre and her son Philibert. These works transformed Issogne castle into a luxurious Renaissance residence.

After various owners, it was bought by the artist Vittorio Avondo in 1872 who restored it and donated it to the State in 1907. Today the castle belongs to the autonomous Region of Aosta Valley.

References:

Aosta Valley Tourism

User Reviews

Irene Kaluhina (3 years ago)
Amazing castle ?. Nice guide Eleonora ?,thank you very much ?

Bistra Belcheva (3 years ago)
Nice place to visit! The history of the castle was amazing. Thanks a lot to our guide Francesca!!

Cory Hoy (4 years ago)
My phone says I visited today but I was just picking up my daughter from school.. I've been there and I can say it's the best castle in the valley. Cost about 10€ per person.

hike&bike Italy (5 years ago)
One of the most visited Castles in the Valley. A castle and a palace, with colorful frescoes and furniture ( original or replaced but according to the style). Remarkable writings dating back 1700 or 1600 left by the pilgrims. The guided tour (in italian) was really interesting.

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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.

The castle remains that have been preserved (gate, great hall and keep) date back to the Staufer period around 1200. The castle remains were integrated into subsequent buildings. The foundations of the castle buildings are to a large extent identical to the surrounding castle wall.

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

Issogne Castle

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