Verrès Castle

One of the largest manors built by a vassal in a sovereign state

When is it open: see the "for further information" section at the bottom of the page

What's not to be missed: large flights of stairs with arches and external, double mullioned windows in decorative stone

Where is it: the chief town of Verrès

Why?… Because it's worth it: an elegant castle and an essential defence

An inscription in Gothic writing states that Ibleto of Challant finished building the manor in 1390. In 1536 Renato of Challant renovated the fortress, however when he died the castle was expropriated to the Savoys; in 1661, Duke Charles Emanuel II transferred the armaments to the fortress in Bard, a strategic point of defence in the region. The Challants took possession of the rock once again in 1696, until the family lineage ended (beginning XIX century.); the now abandoned manor was saved, as were the castles in Issogne and Fénis, thanks to the interest of a group

of intellectuals from Piedmont. On crossing the foredoor you come to a fortified wall and guard house. The main entrance door accesses the square courtyard inside the castle. The building is designed in a ring around this, on three floors that are connected via a monumental, stone flight of steps with arches. The geometric regularity of the building and its main decor (green and white decorated stone) blend with the military features of the building and highlights the excellent abilities of the local work force. The ground floor includes: two large symmetric rooms, with an interesting

weapons room and kitchen. The first floor includes: rooms reserved for the lords, a large dining hall with multiple ribbed, stone vaults, with 3 fireplaces: one of these, which is decorated with mouldings and pillars, is quite large. Each year the castle stages the Historic Carnival in Verrès, which recalls the history and legends of the epic Countess Caterina of Challant.