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Founded
probably by the Longobards before the year 1.000, became part of the archiepiscopal estates and later served as a
refuge for Milanese prelates escaping from the city in the 11th and 12th centuries. Destroyed by Della Torre, 1277 it came once again
under Visconti domain, and the reconstruction began. In1439 Filippo Maria Visconti conceded the Commune
and the fortified castle of Arona in feud to Vitaliano Borromeo along with the title of Count.
The city's fortunes were thus tied to those of the Borromeo family for the next four centuries.
On 2 October, 1538 San Carlo Borromeo was born here in the "camera dei tre laghi" (room of the three lakes).
In 1800 Napoleon, having emerged victorious from the Battle of Marengo against the Austrians, ordered the destruction
of a number of fortresses which had been used by the enemy as garrisons, including the one at Arona. And so ended the Rocca's
glorious history. Today its ruins can be seen within the confines of a splendid public park (Parco
della Rocca d'Arona).
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