Pagazzano

Certain information on the Castello di Pagazzano dates back to 1186, when Barbarossa granted it to the Milanese. In the 13th century, this was contested by the Torriani and Visconti families. From this location, Francesco Petrarca reached Bergamo on 13th October 1359 whilst a guest of Bernabò Visconti. Gian Galeazzo Visconti donated the Pagazzano estates to his wife Caterina in 1386. The castle then passed into the hands of the Suardi family and later Bertolino Zamboni. With the division of property, dated 22nd June 1465, the fortress of Pagazzano, referred to as “castrum de Pagatiano”, fell to Sagramoro II of Brignano. From 1522, the Spanish took possession of the Gera d’Adda. Afterwards, Pagazzano would suffer the same fate as the Duchy of Milan.
In 1690, the castle was given as dowry to a Visconti di Brignano who had married the heir to the Bigli house. With the death of Marquise Fulvia Bigli, the manor house and adjoining land became the property of Casato Crivelli until 1968, when it was sold to a private individual. The municipality of Pagazzano bought it in 2000 and proceeded with its reclamation and restoration.

With its square layout, the castle shows 14th-century architectural elements on the north-eastern side but appears in all its magnificence as a fine example of a military fortress from the second half of the 15th century. Internally, to the south-west, a small building known as the “villa” is considered as the “noble part” of the place. It was built by Galeazzo Visconti, archpriest of Pagazzano, from 1553 then underwent further renovations in the 18th century.
Inside, the only remaining evidence of this sumptuous past is a fireplace that still bears the symbols and coat of arms of the Visconti family. Displayed for all to see is a majestic grape press, bearing the date of its creation: 1736.