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Castello Baradello today

Italy · Restored

Castello Baradello

Castel Baradello

Castello Baradello is a medieval military fortification standing on a 430 m hill immediately above the city of Como, northern Italy. The complex is dominated by a tall square keep and associated curtain walls; the site also contains a small Chapel of St. Nicholas and a smaller quadrangular tower. The present fabric has been restored and conserved in the 20th century.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1340

Today

Restored

As it stood in 1340

What Castello Baradello looked like in its prime.

Perched on a wooded hilltop, the fortress silhouette is dominated by a tall, nearly square stone keep rising above lower curtain walls that step along the ridge. The keep's smooth ashlar faces are punctured by narrow slit windows and finished by a crenellated parapet with Guelph-style merlons; an adjacent smaller quadrangular tower and an outer line of curtain walls enclose a cobbled inner bailey. The stone is pale local limestone, set against evergreen trees and steep slopes.

Its story

The story of Castello Baradello.

The Castello Baradello crowns a 430-metre hill immediately above the city of Como. Its walls are of Byzantine origin, dating from the 6th–7th centuries, later heightened and given Guelph merlons, with a further external line of walls added; from the same early period date the small Chapel of St Nicholas and a quadrangular tower that served as the castellan's residence.

The best-preserved element is the great square tower, 8.20 by 8.35 metres at the base and 27.5 metres tall, which once carried Guelph-type merlons. Napoleone della Torre was buried in the Chapel of St Nicholas. The fabric was restored and conserved in the 20th century.

Step inside

8 places to explore in 1340.

The record describes 8 distinct spots at Castello Baradello, including 1 interior: chapel of st. nicholas (interior). Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Approach from the southern foothillsExterior of the main square keepParapet and roof of the keepInner bailey and curtain wallsChapel of St. Nicholas (interior)Quadrangular tower (castellan's residence)Site of the Round Tower castle (Visconti addition)Walk along the outer wall

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Castle Siege

Play Castle Siege at Castello Baradello.

A strategy game played on Castello Baradello’s real ground plan: the same surveyed walls shown in the archive below. Post your finite garrison on the battlements between assaults, then hold out as rams, siege towers, trebuchets and sappers arrive in ever-worse waves.

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From the archive

Castello Baradello on paper: the measured plan and period views.

The survey plan and photographs below are the ground truth this page's reconstructions are checked against, drawn and photographed while the castle was still a working garrison. Every image is public-domain or openly licensed, with its source named.

Como - Castello Baradello (cartolina), Castello Baradello

Como - Castello Baradello (cartolina)

· Turin Gallery for Modern and Contemporary Art (via Europeana)

CC BY

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Castello Baradello.

Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, ItalyStadiumStadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia2 km awayVilla Balbianello, ItalyMuseumVilla Balbianello21 km awayPiazzale Loreto, ItalySquarePiazzale Loreto36 km away

Questions about Castello Baradello

What is the history of Castello Baradello?

Castello Baradello is a medieval military fortification whose oldest surviving walls date from the 6th–7th centuries. It formed part of the Byzantine frontier defences before surrendering to the Lombards in 588. The fortification was restored and enlarged with Frederick Barbarossa’s help in 1158, later changed hands, and was dismantled in 1527 except for the tower. Restoration took place in 1971.

What is inside Castello Baradello?

Inside Castello Baradello are the Chapel of St Nicholas, a cobbled inner bailey, curtain walls and a quadrangular tower that served as the castellan’s residence. The complex also had a vaulted cistern, a mill room, a bakehouse, troop or provisions rooms, a trapezoidal cistern and an ice house. Napoleone della Torre was buried in the chapel.

Why was Castello Baradello built, and what was it used for?

Castello Baradello was built as a military fortification for defence, surveillance and control of routes and tolls. Its hilltop position allowed it to watch the road linking Como with Milan and the routes towards the Alpine passes. It later served as a Byzantine stronghold, a refuge, a citadel and a prison.

Where is Castello Baradello?

Castello Baradello stands on a 430-metre hill immediately above Como, in northern Italy. The hill overlooks the city and forms the south-western edge of Como’s valley. The castle is part of the Parco della Spina Verde.

When was Castello Baradello built?

Castello Baradello was built in stages, with its earliest surviving walls dating from the 6th–7th centuries. The great square tower and further fortifications were added or enlarged in the 12th century, including major work in 1158. Later Visconti alterations raised the tower and walls again.

Was Castello Baradello ever attacked or besieged?

Castello Baradello was attacked during the conflict between Como and Milan, when Como was besieged and burned by Milanese forces on 27 August 1127. Its later military history included the dismantling ordered in 1527 to prevent French troops from taking it, leaving only the tower standing. The material does not state that the castle fell during a successful siege.

What did Castello Baradello look like in its prime?

In its prime, Castello Baradello was dominated by a tall, nearly square pale-limestone keep above lower curtain walls stepping along the wooded ridge. Narrow slit windows pierced its smooth ashlar faces, while a crenellated parapet carried Guelph-style merlons. A smaller quadrangular tower and outer walls enclosed a cobbled inner bailey.

Is Castello Baradello still standing or is it a ruin?

Castello Baradello is still standing and has been restored and conserved. The castle was dismantled in 1527, but the tower survived, and the complex was later restored in 1902–1903 and consolidated and recovered in 1971. The present fabric therefore includes surviving historic structures alongside restored sections.

Can you visit Castello Baradello?

Castello Baradello can be visited. It is described as currently open to visitors, and it forms part of the Parco della Spina Verde. No admission details are given here.

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