Montaldeo Castle, Montaldeo

The view of the village, from whichever direction you look, is dominated by the presence of the castle, an imposing parallelepiped-shaped structure which, with its bulk, seems disproportionate to the modest size of the settlement. The single-block type is typical for fortified noble residences in certain regions, such as Valle d’Aosta. Instead, rare examples are found in northern and central Piedmont. Strictly parallelepiped, indeed almost cubic, with two floors plus the battlement level (equipped entirely with machicolations), it stands on a base itself fortified with guardhouses and remnants of ancient towers, still surrounded on three sides by the garden. The typological and formal resemblance to Verres Castle is striking. The building is accessed via a steep cobbled path that continues beyond the pointed access arch, near which is the guard post, from which one enters the large rectangular courtyard. The first floor features a large hall, called the “hall of coats of arms”, equipped with a late 16th-century fireplace, as well as the tribunal room, where the feudal lords exercised low justice. Particularly evocative are the underground chambers, which house the prisons, accessed through a series of labyrinthine passages and staircases carved into the thickness of the walls; there are also trap wells and torture instruments. During the summer months, the castle is inhabited by the current owner, Marquis Clemente Doria, descendant of the family that ruled the village for centuries, who, in an act of generosity, makes the lower courtyards and gardens available to the community for entertainment events organized by the Pro Loco.

For further information regarding opening days, guided tours, and hours, in addition to the Municipality of Montaldeo, contact the ALTO MONFERRATO ASSOCIATION, OVADA.