Castelbrando, a grand medieval castle, sits on a dolomitic limestone rock at an altitude of 370m above sea level, overlooking the villages of Cison di Valmarino and Valmareno. The name is due to the Brandolini family from Forlì, who were the lords of the castle. The castle was originally built in Roman times to protect the Via Claudia Augusta, which connected the Po valley to Rhaetia (modern Austria). The original castrum from 46 AD is still visible. A recent archaeological dig has uncovered a bread oven and the original Roman baths, as well as the original pipes of the aqueduct that supplied water from three nearby natural springs. These springs still provide water for the castle. Later the fortress became an important defensive position against barbarian invasions. During the 13th century the castle was significantly enlarged and the imposing battlements and central tower were added. The castle was awarded by the Republic of Venice to the condottieri Giovanni Brandolino and Erasmo da Narni, better known as "Gattamelata". After the fall of the Venetian Republic it became the property of the Brandolini Counts. In 1700 the castle was expanded with the southern part and the castle chapel, the church of San Martino. During World War I, the castle was invaded by Imperial Austrian troops and used as a military hospital. After 10 years of restoration work, the castle was reopened as a residence in 1929. In 1959, the castle was sold by the Brandolini family to the Salesian Fathers, who used it as a monastery and as a center for spiritual studies. In 1997, CastelBrando was purchased by Quaternary Investments SpA, who transformed it into a 4-star hotel, museum and theater. Visitors can take the cable car to the castle from the village.
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