Castello di Villanova Solaro, Medieval castle in Villanova Solaro, Italy.
Castello di Villanova Solaro is a square fortress in the Cuneo province of Piedmont with a defensive tower at each corner. The complex contains multiple courtyards and a large hall with views over the surrounding park.
The fortress was built in 1295 by Prince Filippo of Savoy as a strategic outpost between the Princes of Acaja and the Marquises of Saluzzo. A wide defensive moat dug in 1327 reinforced its military importance in this border region.
The settlement takes its name from the Villanova family who ruled here for centuries and shaped the fortress. Visitors can still walk through rooms where these noble inhabitants lived and entertained their guests.
The site sits on uneven terrain with stairs and uneven surfaces that visitors should be prepared for. Most people can explore the rooms and outdoor areas comfortably in about one to two hours.
In the 1800s the former military fortress was converted into a hospital for poor residents of the area, operating until 1927. This unexpected transformation shows how the site shifted from defense to caring for the sick and injured.
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