Once a fortress now a museum the Castello di Gambolò stands before us. It is a testament to centuries of Lomellina history. This castle whispers tales of battles sieges and aristocratic ambitions.
Around the year 1000 a fortified nucleus called “Castrum” emerged. It served as a sanctuary. Villagers and those in surrounding territories sought refuge within its walls. Initially a purely defensive structure Castello di Gambolò suffered greatly. It was almost destroyed during the military campaigns of the 12th and 13th centuries.
Between 1412 and 1475 Antonio Beccaria was granted the fiefdom of Gambolò. He was a member of an aristocratic family from Pavia. Castello di Gambolò showcases essential features. It has a quadrilateral or trapezoidal layout and towers at the corners and center. The walls once featured Ghibelline battlements and patrol paths.
In 1573 a significant transformation began for Castello di Gambolò. Marchese Litta Agostino acquired the fiefdom. His vision was to convert the castle into a country villa. He wanted an expansive garden and a grand entrance. The Marquis started buying private properties inside the castle. He began with those near the palace.
Between 1614 and 1680 the new entrance avenue was created. It was east of the fortress. This required remodeling the existing street fronts. The avenue led to the main tower. Here the facade showed traces of the drawbridge. By 1680 the drawbridge was replaced. It was transformed into an entrance portal with a lowered arch.
The palace rose to about 50 meters on the west side. It featured an entrance with a lowered arch and rusticated facade. Beyond lay a courtyard. This courtyard had two colonnades and a blank wall. The Litta family removed battlements and patrol paths from the castle walls. They began building a gallery against the wall. This is now called the “Manica Lunga”. Construction halted due to disputes. Only the square tower connecting the palace to the Mirabella tower was completed. In the early 18th century the final land acquisitions allowed completion. The Mirabella tower gained a belvedere with a railing.
The “Manica Lunga” extends over two floors. It reaches a height of approximately 10 meters. The ground floor features a gallery. It is about 50 meters long. Fifteen twin columns rest on a parapet. Openings alternate with solid sections. Stone beams support the structure. The ceiling has lowered arches.
Later changes included an octagonal fountain. It was built in 1776. It was near the gallery. The Robecchi family descendants of the Litta family later donated Castello di Gambolò to the town.
Today the first floor of the “Manica Lunga” houses the Lomellino Archaeological Museum. It preserves artifacts. These artifacts tell the stories of past inhabitants. The Castello di Gambolò is not just stones and walls. It is a journey through time. It connects us to the families and events that shaped this land. It connects us to their legacies.