CASTELLO di MASSINO VISCONTI
(MASSINO VISCONTI)

Guido Visconti became the feudatory of Massino in the 12th century and the castle was the family's first stronghold. In spite of being fortified more than once the edifice ended up being used as a summer residence by the Milanese nobility thanks to its splendid panoramic position. In 1358 the castle was destroyed by Galeazzo Visconti during a battle with the Marquis of Monferrato once he managed to penetrate the Novarese territory. The building that can be seen today is the result of 16th-century reconstruction (some of the stones used are dated 1548 and 1555) in an area adjacent to, but a bit lower, than that of the original castle. On the side facing the church it is possible to admire a much rebuilt tower and a wall interrupted by a portal bearing the Visconti coat-of-arms. On the other side of the wall to the right is another building that may have originally been part of a square tower. The central tower, or keep, is the only part of the complex that has a strongly defensive nature. There is a cell on the ground floor and a covered cistern outside. The main gate located in the building next to the keep leads to the "cortiletto dei signori" around which can be seen 17th and 18th-century buildings. Near the courtyard is a small balcony facing the village from which the Visconti used to speak to the townspeople.

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