Top 13 Castles around San Martino Canavese

Beautiful old town with imposing buildings and views of the mountains.

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Agliè, an enchanting village in the heart of Canavese, boasts a thousand-year history that has its roots in the Roman era. The original nucleus, probably located on the hills of the current hamlet of Santa Maria delle Grazie, was known as "Macunciacum" and depended on the Abbazia Fruttuaria di San Benigno. Agliè, as a fortified village, emerges in documents in 1141, when the feudal lords of Canavese divided the territory. The town became one of the lands of the San Martino di Rivarolo and Agliè, a family that would profoundly mark the history of the village. Despite the feudal struggles that raged in the region, Agliè maintained relative stability, even if it was not immune to looting and devastation. With the arrival of the Savoy, Agliè experienced a period of growth and development. In 1448, the village obtained municipal statutes, a sign of autonomy and recognition. The most emblematic figure of this period was Count Filippo San Martino di Agliè, a man of culture and prominent politician. Minister of Cristina of France, regent of the Duchy of Savoy, Filippo transformed the castle of Agliè into a sumptuous residence, enriching it with works of art and gardens. Today, Agliè is a village that preserves its historical and artistic charm intact. The Ducal Castle, with its gardens and richly decorated rooms, is an unmissable destination for visitors. The streets of the village, with their stone houses and noble palaces, tell the story of a place that has managed to preserve its identity over the centuries.

Nestled in the rolling hills of Morena Ovest, the village of San Martino enchants visitors with its ancient charm and evocative atmosphere. Its history has its roots in the distant 11th century, when the construction of the majestic Torre-porta maggiore marked the beginning of the settlement. It was a fortified village, surrounded by mighty walls and moats that guaranteed its defense. The walls, made with pebbles arranged in a herringbone pattern and reinforced by megaliths still visible on the north side, testify to the construction skill of the time. Along the perimeter of the walls, there were at least six tower-gates, smaller in size than the main tower, which allowed access to the village. The village of San Martino was long linked to the powerful family of the Counts of San Martino, who exercised control over it for centuries. Their presence is evidenced by numerous historic buildings, including the castle, now in ruins, which dominated the village from above.

Passage made during Erratico Gravel

The Castello di Ivrea, also known as the “Castello dalle rosse torri” (Castle of the Red Towers), is an impressive medieval castle that towers over the town of Ivrea in the Piedmont region. The castle was built in 1358 by order of Amedeo VI of Savoy, also known as the Conte Verde. It served as a symbol of Savoyard rule over Ivrea and Canavese, mainly for defensive purposes. It stands on a hill overlooking the town and the road to the Valle d’Aosta. The castle has four imposing round towers that characterize its structure. These towers, each 34 meters high, are located next to the cathedral and the bishop’s palace. The castle walls were once surrounded by a wide moat, and the only access was via a drawbridge. From the battlements, defenders could throw stones and boiling water at attackers. Unfortunately, the interior of the castle was completely dismantled and altered when it served as a political and criminal prison from 1700 to 1970. Once a stronghold of power and defense, the castle was transformed by time and the changing needs of society.

Ivrea, the cradle of the Olivetti company and its famous typewriters, is located on the right bank of the Dora Baltea, west of the Serra di Ivrea, the largest moraine wall in Europe. The silhouette of a 14th century castle rises above the city. In the upper town there is also the originally Romanesque Duomo, which was renovated in the 19th century. On the other bank of the Dora, near Via Jervis, the old Olivetti factories have been converted into Musea dell'Architecture Moderna.

So much history in just one castle. In the city of Ivrea the large Castle was once the residence of the Savoys, before becoming a military garrison. In addition to this, it was then transformed and used as a prison. The location is very strategic as is the very characteristic structure.