
From an architectural point of view, Vigoleno castle constitutes a fortified complex of great interest, which has maintained almost intact its original character. The castle and hamlet are to be considered as a whole a defensive system and from the point of view of architectural defense, represent one of the most interesting monuments that you can encounter.
The castle was constructed in the tenth century, and many times destroyed (in medieval terms "destroyed" means "made unsuitable for defense"), and was reconstructed in its present form in 1389. The formidable "rivellino", with it powerful entrance tower on quadrangular plan remains a rare example of a fortified access point.
With mixed fortunes, it was conquered on subsequent periods by the Pallavicino, the Visconti, and the Farnese and (at the time of Duca Ottavio) by the Scotti.
Between the two world wars, Vigoleno welcomed famous people and reached international fame due to the duchess Maria di Grammont, born princess Ruspoli, who restored the castle and welcomed in it actors, poets, writers and the "bel mondo" of those years. Amongst the people which were welcomed here were, the painter and master of surrealism Max Ernst , the multiform genius Jean Cocteau, the 'prima donna' of the cinema Mary Pikford, the writer Elsa Maxwell, D'Annunzio and the pianist Arthur Rubinstein.
The Castle rises gracefully with its mighty defense system still intact, closed inside a narrow wall with Ghibelline merlons. Inside, the rooms follow one after the other and are brimming with history: the red room with precious furniture and the imposing fireplace, the Genesis drawing room, the billiard room, the small 18th century picturesque theatre and charming guard tower .The town is the perfect example of medieval housing.
The hills towards "Val d'Arda" are renowned for their wine production of Monterosso Vald'Arda, a white DOC wine obtained mainly from Malvasia, Moscato, Trebbiano and
Ortrugo grapes and also "VinSanto" di Vigoleno DOC.
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