Open Castles — Pozzolo Formigaro Castle

A fortress between the Visconti and Sforza dynasties

The Pozzolo Formigaro Castle, located in the heart of the Novese area in the Province of Alessandria, is one of the most fascinating stops on the regional Open Castles circuit in Piedmont. Its origins date back to the 11th century, when it was built as a defensive outpost on an alluvial terrace overlooking the plains. During the Middle Ages, it became a stronghold of the Duchy of Milan against Genoese expansion: fortified by the Visconti family at the end of the 14th century, it was destroyed in 1452 by the cannon fire of Bartolomeo Colleoni during the war between Milan and Monferrato.

The very next year, Colleoni himself had it rebuilt by the engineer Giovanni da Sale, who gave it its current appearance by layering Sforza architectural elements over the previous Visconti motifs. The layout is quadrangular and consists of several sections: the crenellated tower and the Sforza-era keep, the Visconti palace, and the western wing commissioned by the Sauli family, the Genoese dynasty that purchased the manor in 1527 and resided there for two centuries.

An artistic heritage to discover

Today, the castle serves as the Town Hall of Pozzolo Formigaro, and for this reason, it preserves rooms of great value. In the council chamber, you can admire the 15th-century frescoes by Franceschino Boxilio, featuring religious themes, as well as five muzzle-loading rifles from the 1848 National Guard. The collection also includes a 15th-century polychrome wooden sculpture of the Madonna and Child, an 18th-century nativity scene, and a 2nd-century AD Roman tomb complete with its ceramic oil lamp.

Open Castles tours

During the Open Castles event days, the manor welcomes visitors with free admission. You can choose between a self-guided tour with an audioguide or a guided tour; guided tours in English and French are also available upon request. The castle is accessible to visitors with reduced mobility and offers an audioguide service for visually impaired guests.

Open Castles, a Piedmontese tradition

The Open Castles initiative is one of the longest-running cultural events in Piedmont, showcasing castles, villas, gardens, palaces, and historic residences throughout the region. Promoted under the patronage of the Piedmont Region, the Provinces of Alessandria, Asti, and Cuneo, and the Metropolitan City of Turin, it offers a rich annual calendar of openings, guided tours, and events designed for all ages.