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In 1299, Alberto Scotti, lord of Piacenza, was invested by the
municipality, owned by Fombio: one of the obligations of the fugitive
was that he had to build a castle, where the inhabitants could find
shelter in case of war. The castle built by Scotti is the one that, to a
large extent, still exists and that dominates the plain towards Piacenza.
A previous castle, known as the "castellazzo", stood instead to the
north of the town; of it only ruins remain at a farmhouse towards
Codogno.
The castle of Fombio, witnessed many war events, in the context of the
struggles between the Guelphs and the Ghibellines. In 1314, Galeazzo
Visconti, lord of Piacenza, fearing that the city was taken by the
Guelphs stationed in Fombio, took possession of the fortress with part
of his army, set it on fire and took the inhabitants prisoner. Still
visible is the castle, built by Alberto Scotti, a massive square mass
(with a U-shaped plan), open towards the plain, with powerful brick
walls. The defensive ditches that surrounded it over time have been
filled and only a few traces remain of the drawbridge. His eventful past
saw him as the protagonist of bloody struggles and the seat of the court
of justice, but also a noble residence. Numerous above all in the 1700s,
the alterations and extensions to which the original fourteenth century
core of the building was subjected. To this period belong the large
porch overlooking the courtyard of honor and the bright veranda that
connects the two wings of the castle. Visible in the interior halls,
among other valuable architectural elements, is a wooden coffered
ceiling (fifteenth century) and a stone fireplace (fifteenth century),
bearing the Scotti coat of arms. The entrance hall, on the ground floor,
preserves in the sub-arches and walls traces of frescoes (grotesque and
allegorical figures) of good workmanship, probably dating back to the
17th century. Also noteworthy are the vast underground vaults of the
castle covered by large barrel-vaulted brick ceilings.
The building is not in good condition, but the municipality bought it to
restore it.
Research required:
•
Ferdinando Douglas-Scotti di Fombio, living in 1857 - possible patrom of
the arts
See also:
• Palazzo
Scotti Fombio
For more on the Douglas Scotti families of Italy, see our
Italy portal.
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