ソルビアーテの洞窟・トップ5

Built in the 14th century as a hunting lodge.

In the municipality of Castiglione Olona, the Monteruzzo castle stands out for its white profile and its imposing towers. Being located in an elevated position, it is clearly visible from afar and today houses the civic library. Furthermore, it is often used as a center for fairs and events.

Decentralized from the town centre, now a hamlet of Sumirago, the castle was built in the 14th century as a home for hunting activities. It has a massive quadrangular structure, with a central courtyard and a sturdy square tower overlooking the valley. The transformations of the 17th century converted the castle into a residential villa, while maintaining some features of the origins. The park, built in the 18th century in the English garden style, is home to three farmhouses.

In the frescoed rooms of the fourteenth-century Palazzo dei Castiglioni in Monteruzzo, there is the Plastic Arts Museum, which exhibits an original collection of around fifty plastic works created in the 1970s by some of the most popular international artists of the post-war period (Carla Accardi, Enrico Baj, Giacomo Balla, Man Ray...). The MAP constitutes one of the most interesting results of the meeting between art and industry and is the first museum in Italy dedicated to works of art in multi-material materials.

Ruins of a small cave castle, clearly visible and with exposed access in the rock walls north of Mendrisio. A straight, three-story wall closes the natural cave. The main openings and probably the namesake are a high entrance and two windows. There is a cast iron window above the climb. Several embrasures and light hatches have been preserved. According to architectural criteria, the castle dates back to the 15th century. It probably served as a defensive refuge for a local leadership group. The Tanùn (Tanone), another cave on the ascent, which is closed off with a low wall, was probably related to Tri Böcc. An at least indirect connection is conceivable with the grotto hermitage of San Nicolao, which, according to tradition, was built by Loterio Rusca in 1413 in a higher rock echelon.

Castiglione Olona - beautiful glimpse of the castle of Monteruzzo

I visited this Castle years ago, on the occasion of an FAI Day and it is really worth a visit whenever possible. But even the mere external view, on a beautiful day, repays the effort of the ascent.

Private castle of Caidate of Visconti origin