Things to do in Lombardy, Italy: The Best Castles

The Angera Fortress stands majestically on a spur of rock that dominates the southern shore of Lake Maggiore, on the Lombardy side. Placed in a strategic position for the oversight of movement and trade, this property initially belonged to the Visconti family and was bought by the Borromeos in 1449. It is now the perfectly harmonious result of five different buildings: the tower, or Torre Castellana, the Scaligera wing, the Viscontea wing, the Giovanni Visconti tower, the Borromeo wing. The hall of Justice is a surprising room, entirely frescoed shortly after the battle of Desio in 1277 by "Maestro di Angera", where human affairs are related to astrological influences. Founded in 1988 by Princess Bona Borromeo Arese, the Museum of Dolls and Toys shows more than one thousand pieces among dolls and toys crafted since XVIII. Outdoors, next to the ancient church, is the Medieval Garden: medicinal plants grow next to ornamental plants.

In the heart of Serio Park, where the time seems stopped in the XV century, there is the Malpaga Castle.It has ancient medieval origins: it was built in 1300 but it became famous only in the 1456 thanks to his owner Bartolomeo Colleoni, the General Captain of the Venice Republic. He bought it for 100 gold ducats and transformed it in his beatiful home.The Castle is considered one of the most interesting medieval construction in Bergamo thanks to the historical and architectonic relevance and his beatiful cycle of frescos.Thanks to the fame of his owner, the Malpaga Castle mantain a strong connection with Bergamo and Venice.In Bergamo Alta, close by the Duomo, you can see the Colleoni Chapel that accommodates the body of the Captain. In Venice, in SS Giovanni and Paolo Square, there is one of the most beautiful equestrian statue in the world, created by Andrea Verrocchio in honour of Bartolomeo Colleoni.GUIDED TOUR (IN ITALIAN)Every Sunday and Holiday (except December, January and February)at 3pm - 4pm - 5pm

Nestled amongst the stunning Southern hills of Lake Garda, in the heart of the historical centre of Lonato, lies the home of the Ugo Da Como Foundation with the castle (Rocca Visconteo Veneta) and the house-museum (Casa del Podestà). An evocative visit takes you through the furnished rooms of the house, also to a stunning library filled with a precious ancient book collection. The house is surrounded by splendid private gardens and the last step of the visit takes you up to the Visconti-Venetian fortress, admired by Napoleon.

The Bonoris Castle was built between 1891 and 1905 on pre-existing medieval fortress ruins. It is an architectural example of the most important neo-Gothic style of Lombardy. Count Gaetano Bonoris (1861-1923) commissioned the building of the castle for his own house and home. The Municipality of Montichiari acquired it in 1996. The castle is surrounded by a vas tpark and located on the hill of San Pancrazio, scenically overlooking the historic core of the town. The towers and crenellated walls are made with great attention to defensive details: trap doors, retractable gates, moats and drawbridges. The beautiful interior also features rich materials, decorations, frescoes and furnishing. Do not miss the surprise of a secret safe discovered at the death of the Count, who had a wealth of jewels and precious coins.

Splendid eighteenth-century aristocratic mansion, museum of art and costume, the Castle of Chignolo Po, called "the Versailles of Lombardy", contains important and valuable evidence of the lavish world of the nobility of Lombardy and Venice.The spectacular baroque courtyard, large frescoed halls of the Tiepolo's school, the refinement of the stucco and decorations, the tower with its dominant male turreted mole, all immersed in a sweet rural scenery make this monument one of the most important historic houses Italian.