Solza Castle, Solza, Italy - SpottingHistory

Solza Castle probably dates back to the 10th or 11th century. Here was born the famous condottiere Bartolomeo Colleoni. According to tradition, when Bartolomeo Colleoni left Solza Castle, he was between 14 and 15 years old: little more than a boy, even for those times. No-one could have predicted then that he was destined to become one of the most famous condottieri of the fifteenth century.

Today the same castle appears rather insignificant with its modest fourteenth century plan, but it is still worth visiting the small village of Solza, near the river Adda, and use it as starting point for making a historical tour of the castles dotted over the Bergamo plain. Two great powers, the Duchy of Milan and the Republic of Venice, were long-term rivals in this border country.

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User Reviews

Agnese Consonni (8 months ago)
Beautiful medieval castle, excellent explanation from the volunteer guide. Beautiful pictorial display on multiple floors. Watercolors by Enrica Cavalli, a spectacle!

Ileana Busnelli (8 months ago)
In reality it doesn't look like a castle also because it has been greatly modified but thanks to the skill of the narrator you have a vision of what it was like.

Ermanna 64 (2 years ago)
Castle of the Colleoni family. The peasant life of the past is highlighted and it was the defensive structure in the Solza area. Renovated in the 2000s, the castle is now home to the municipal library and toy library with adjoining rooms for various conferences. The figures are very good with their period clothes and their preparation in telling the history of the castle, they know how to revive and immerse those who listen to them in the life of the past... we are talking about the 1400s. Advised.

Paolo “Paolo” Tan (2 years ago)
Even if it does not appear as a castle commonly understood due to the continuous transformations over the centuries, it is possible to understand its original structure thanks to excellent, very well-prepared and passionate guides, in addition to the history of the castle, they include themed explanations on socio-cultural aspects of the period of the fifteenth century and finally they tell about the art of war which then in times of peace became a sport and a show like the joust where two knights challenged each other to unseat

Ilenia Baldi (2 years ago)
Nice guided tour of the castle. The guys who told us the story of that castle were very knowledgeable and passionate about the subject

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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.

Solza Castle

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