Castello di Serravalle

The castle of Serravalle is a complex of ruins at the mouth of the Blenio valley.
On this rock spur, the first fortifications were built in 900, but they were destroyed and rebuilt over time.

Extensive ruins of a large castle complex, which extend over a rocky ridge around 400 meters north of Semione. The first fortifications were built here around 900 and were changed several times in the High Middle Ages. In 1176, Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa besieged the castle and handed it over to a retainer, but soon after the Battle of Legnano it was attacked by his Milanese opponents and razed to the ground. The complex that is visible today was built in 1220 and was the residence and place of court for Milanese bailiffs. In 1402 Serravalle was conquered again by unknown troops and destroyed with the exception of the castle church.