Could Casatico be a hidden gem in Lombardy? It is a frazione of Marcaria in the province of Mantova. Casatico may seem like a quiet village. But its history echoes with the stories of noble families and artistic endeavors.
Casatico was part of the Obertenghi family’s domains back in the 11th century. Adalberto Obertengo and his wife Adelaide donated it in 1033. They gifted the entire Marcaria court, including Casatico to the Benedictine monastery of Castiglione of Parma. This is now Castione Marchesi. Monastic orders owned it until the late eighteenth century.
Let’s talk about Corte Castiglioni. This fortified Lombard court was constructed in the 15th century. Baldassarre Castiglione, a noble leader, initiated it. It was remodeled in the 16th and 18th centuries. The court features a series of courtyards. They lead to the stately palace. A star-shaped tower flanks the palace. Giulio Romano may have contributed to its design. A moat and an entrance with faux Fancellian battlements surround the exterior. The Castiglioni coat of arms adorns the entrance.
Corte Castiglioni has two main sections. One dates back to the 15th century. Luca Fancelli likely worked on it around the 1470s. The other section is larger and more complex. Count Camillo renovated it in 1546. He used a design by Giulio Romano. Another significant renovation occurred in the mid-18th century.
Baldassarre Castiglione the scholar was born here in 1478. He came from Cristoforo Castiglione’s and Alojsia Gonzaga’s family. They had sought refuge here from the plague in Mantua. Baldassarre’s birth room is in the palace’s smaller wing. Giulio Rubone and Giangiacomo da Mantova created artwork in the palace in 1576. They were followers of Giulio Romano.
The Chiesa Parrocchiale is another interesting place in Casatico. It is dedicated to the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Castiglioni family wanted it to replace the existing church. The church dates back to 1730. The architect Soratini from Lonato designed it.
There is also the Oratorio della Madonna del Pilar. It is located 3 km from Casatico. The Castiglioni family built this small church. Its bell tower has a unique triangular base.
Casatico is the birthplace of Baldassarre Castiglione. He was born on December 6, 1478. He was a humanist, a writer, a diplomat, and a soldier. He served the Church State, the Marquisate of Mantua, and the Duchy of Urbino. Castiglione’s prose is a high point of the Italian Renaissance. His most famous work is “Il Cortegiano.” It discusses the ideal behavior for courtiers.
As you leave Casatico consider its layered history. Noble families shaped it. Artists embellished it. Writers immortalized it. Its legacy remains alive.