Castello di Montaldeo, Montaldeo

The landscape of the village, seen from any direction, is characterized by the dominating presence of the castle, an imposing parallelepiped-shaped structure which, due to its mass, seems disproportionate to the modest size of the settlement. The single-block type is typical for fortified noble residences in certain regions, such as the Aosta Valley. Rare examples are found instead in northern and central Piedmont. Strictly parallelepiped, indeed almost cubic, with two floors plus the watch floor (equipped entirely with projecting apparatus), it stands on a base itself fortified with guardhouses and remnants of ancient towers, still surrounded on three sides by the garden. The resemblance, typological and formal, to the castle of Verres is impressive. The building is accessed by a steep cobbled ascent, which continues beyond the pointed access arch, near which is the guard post, from where you enter the large rectangular courtyard. The first floor is characterized by a large hall, called the “coat of arms hall,” equipped with a late sixteenth-century fireplace, as well as by the courtroom, where low justice was exercised by the feudal lords. Particularly evocative are the underground areas, where the prisons are preserved, accessed through a series of labyrinthine passages and small 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, as well as at the Municipality of Montaldeo, contact the ALTO MONFERRATO ASSOCIATION, OVADA,