Legnano Castle

Legnano Castle

Legnano Castle, locally more commonly known as Castello Visconteo di Legnano but also as Castello di San Giorgio, lies in the town of the same name, in the Milan province in the Lombardy region in Italy.

The castle at Legnano was preceded by an Augustinian monastery dedicated to Saint George, which was first mentioned in 1231. Situated on an island in the Olona river, the location was coveted by several noble families and thus the monks were frequently harassed. In 1261 the monks finally exchanged the monastery with the Della Torre family for fertile lands near the village of Limito. It is not known if this exchange was out of their free will or that they were forced.

The Della Torres then expanded the watchtower of the monastery into a fortified castle. Apparently the castle was a prestigious residence of the Della Torres because in April 1273 they hosted Edward I of England and his wife Eleanor of Castile who were on their return journey back to England from their crusade to the Middle East.

In 1277 Legnano Castle passed to the Visconti family following the defeat suffered by the Della Torres in the Battle of Desio. Ottone Visconto, Lord and Archbishop of Milan, then took up residence in the castle for some time.

The Viscontis would hold the castle until 1437 when they gifted it to Oldrado II Lampugnani. Oldrado then strengthened the castle and updated its defenses. During the ownership of the Lampugnanis the castle was besieged twice, successfully in 1447 and unsuccessfully in 1526. They would hold Legnano until 1729 when Count Francesco Maria II Lampugnani donated it to the Policlinico of Milan.

In 1798 the castle was bought by Marquis Carlo Cristoforo Cornaggia. The Cornaggias then restored the castle and used it as a summer residence until the end of the 19th century. From then on Legnano Castle fell into decline as everything of value was removed by the Carnaggias and the structure was rented out as a simple farm.

The municipality acquired the castle from the Carnaggia family in the 1970s. It was then restored and reopened to the public in 2005.

Legnano Castle is now used as a venue for exhibitions and events, which was sadly closed when I visited. The surrounding area is now a public park. A nice castle.

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Legnano Castle

Legnano Castle

Legnano Castle, locally more commonly known as Castello Visconteo di Legnano but also as Castello di San Giorgio, lies in the town of the same name, in the Milan province in the Lombardy region in Italy.

The castle at Legnano was preceded by an Augustinian monastery dedicated to Saint George, which was first mentioned in 1231. Situated on an island in the Olona river, the location was coveted by several noble families and thus the monks were frequently harassed. In 1261 the monks finally exchanged the monastery with the Della Torre family for fertile lands near the village of Limito. It is not known if this exchange was out of their free will or that they were forced.

The Della Torres then expanded the watchtower of the monastery into a fortified castle. Apparently the castle was a prestigious residence of the Della Torres because in April 1273 they hosted Edward I of England and his wife Eleanor of Castile who were on their return journey back to England from their crusade to the Middle East.

In 1277 Legnano Castle passed to the Visconti family following the defeat suffered by the Della Torres in the Battle of Desio. Ottone Visconto, Lord and Archbishop of Milan, then took up residence in the castle for some time.

The Viscontis would hold the castle until 1437 when they gifted it to Oldrado II Lampugnani. Oldrado then strengthened the castle and updated its defenses. During the ownership of the Lampugnanis the castle was besieged twice, successfully in 1447 and unsuccessfully in 1526. They would hold Legnano until 1729 when Count Francesco Maria II Lampugnani donated it to the Policlinico of Milan.

In 1798 the castle was bought by Marquis Carlo Cristoforo Cornaggia. The Cornaggias then restored the castle and used it as a summer residence until the end of the 19th century. From then on Legnano Castle fell into decline as everything of value was removed by the Carnaggias and the structure was rented out as a simple farm.

The municipality acquired the castle from the Carnaggia family in the 1970s. It was then restored and reopened to the public in 2005.

Legnano Castle is now used as a venue for exhibitions and events, which was sadly closed when I visited. The surrounding area is now a public park. A nice castle.

Gallery

Details
Hits: 1207