Castello di Rocca de' Giorgi
Castello di Rocca de' Giorgi is a castle located on a hilltop in the province of Pavia, Lombardy, standing about 350 meters above sea level and overlooking the valley below. The structure features a roughly trapezoidal shape with thick stone and brick walls, a rectangular keep tower, and visible perimeter fortifications that date mainly to the 14th century.
The castle likely originated in the early medieval period under an owner named Aimerico and served to protect church lands of the Piacenza diocese. Over centuries it changed hands multiple times, passing from the Campeggi family in 1164 to the Sannazzaro, then to Fiorello Beccaria who rebuilt sections, before finally reaching the Giorgi family in 1629.
The castle took its current name from the Giorgi family, who acquired it in 1629 and became its final owners, though it held different names under previous families like Aimerico, Campeggi, and Beccaria. The fortress remains embedded in the local identity as a symbol of the area's medieval past, standing alongside the nearby Church of San Michele Arcangelo, which dates to the 12th century.
The site sits on elevated terrain with rough ground, so wear comfortable walking shoes when visiting. There are no modern facilities on-site, but the location is easily reached from the town and offers clear views of the surrounding countryside.
The adjacent Church of San Michele features early 20th-century frescoes painted by local artist Rodolfo Gambini, including an image of the archangel Michael battling a dragon near the stone altar. Though the church became unusable since 2013 due to structural concerns, these artworks remain a visual connection to the region's artistic heritage.
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