Clan Rising
Saint-Pierre Castle today

Italy · Restored

Saint-Pierre Castle

Castello di Saint-Pierre

Saint-Pierre Castle is a medieval fortress and later fortified residence on a rocky promontory above the town of Saint-Pierre in the Aosta Valley, Italy. First recorded in the late 12th century, it was expanded into a large residence in the early modern period and was renovated in the 19th century; today it houses the Regional Museum of Natural Science.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

First raised

1191

Its prime

1875

Today

Restored

As it stood in 1875

What Saint-Pierre Castle looked like in its prime.

Perched on a steep rocky crag above the village, the castle group is a cluster of connected stone buildings and high curtain walls with crenellations. A tall rectilinear keep with machicolated parapet and three slim conical-roofed corner turrets rises above a lower, light-ochre palace block; a narrow square clock/belfry tower projects from the inner ward. Roofs are slate or stone-tiled; an enclosed courtyard and defensive wall follow the ridge, terraces and vineyards slope away below.

Its story

The story of Saint-Pierre Castle.

Saint-Pierre Castle stands on a rocky promontory above the town of Saint-Pierre in the Aosta Valley, first recorded in the late 12th century. Over subsequent centuries its owners included members of the House of Savoy, and in the 17th century it was purchased by the Roncas, a family of local nobility, who expanded the castle into a large fortified residence.

The castle thereafter fell into disrepair until Baron Emanuele Bollati bought it in the 1870s, and it was renovated in the 19th century. It remained in his family's possession until the 20th century, when it was handed over to the town of Saint-Pierre and became the Regional Museum of Natural Science.

Step inside

9 places to explore in 1875.

The record describes 9 distinct spots at Saint-Pierre Castle, including 1 interior: regional museum (ground-floor 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 village roadOuter gate and curtain wallBattlement walk on the curtain wallMain keep and towered palaceClock/belfry tower (exterior)Lower rounded wing of the castleInner courtyardRegional Museum (ground-floor interior)Parish church at the foot of the castle (exterior)

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Whose castle

Clans who held Saint-Pierre Castle.

The families that held Saint-Pierre Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Savoy

    Among the castle's owners over the centuries were members of the House of Savoy.

  • Roncas

    Purchased in the 17th century by the House of Roncas, who expanded it into a large fortified residence.

  • Bollati

    Bought by Baron Emanuele Bollati in the 1870s; held by his family until the 20th century.

Questions about Saint-Pierre Castle

What is the history of Saint-Pierre Castle?

Saint-Pierre Castle was first recorded in the late 12th century as a modest fortified structure. Its early form had basic walls and two towers. In the 17th century, the House of Roncas bought it and expanded it into a large fortified residence. After falling into disrepair, it was bought by Baron Emanuele Bollati in the 1870s and renovated in the 19th century.

What is inside Saint-Pierre Castle?

Saint-Pierre Castle contains the Regional Museum of Natural Science, with a documented museum interior on the ground floor. The castle also has an enclosed inner courtyard, although the supplied description gives no further interior detail about rooms or displays.

Why was Saint-Pierre Castle built, and what was it used for?

Saint-Pierre Castle was built as a medieval fortress and later expanded into a fortified residence. The original structure was a modest defensive building with basic walls and two towers. In the 17th century, the House of Roncas enlarged it into a substantial residence; it now houses the Regional Museum of Natural Science.

Where is Saint-Pierre Castle?

Saint-Pierre Castle is in Saint-Pierre, in the Aosta Valley. It stands on a rocky promontory above the town and overlooks the village. The castle is located within the administrative territory of Saint-Pierre.

When was Saint-Pierre Castle built?

Saint-Pierre Castle was first raised in 1191, placing its construction in the late 12th century. The castle was later altered in several phases, including its expansion into a large fortified residence in the 17th century and renovation in the 19th century.

Which family or clan held Saint-Pierre Castle?

Saint-Pierre Castle was held by members of the House of Savoy, the House of Roncas and the Bollati family. The Roncas family purchased it in the 17th century and expanded it. Baron Emanuele Bollati bought it in the 1870s, and his family retained it until the 20th century.

What did Saint-Pierre Castle look like in its prime?

Saint-Pierre Castle is a cluster of connected stone buildings and high crenellated curtain walls on a steep rocky crag. A tall rectangular keep has a machicolated parapet and three slim conical-roofed corner turrets, rising above a lower light-ochre palace block. A narrow square clock or belfry tower projects from the inner ward, with slate or stone-tiled roofs below.

Is Saint-Pierre Castle still standing, or is it a ruin?

Saint-Pierre Castle is still standing and has been restored. It was in a state of strong deterioration before Baron Emanuele Bollati commissioned its renovation in the late 19th century. The restoration added four decorative corner turrets to the keep and gave the castle its present appearance.

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