Ivrea Castle, Medieval castle in Ivrea, Italy

Castello di Ivrea is a medieval brick castle on Piazza Castello, built from 1358 for Amadeus VI of Savoy. It has four cylindrical towers rising straight from the ground around a quadrangular plan, with three wings enclosing an inner courtyard. The northwestern tower stands truncated, capped with a conical slate roof after its collapse in 1676.

Amedeo VI of Savoy ordered this fortress built in 1358 to strengthen political and religious control over the area. Over the following centuries, it evolved from a defensive stronghold into a residence and administrative center that reflected the changing powers in the region.

The castle is also called Castello dalle Rosse Torri, the Castle of the Red Towers, after its brickwork. In the second half of the 15th century Duchess Yolande of Valois, daughter of Charles VII of France, held court here; a 1522 account of a baptism describes the furnishings, decorations, dances and feasts. A three-lobed bifora with Savoy coats of arms survives high on the south wall.

Visit during daylight hours to fully appreciate the brick details and interior spaces of the fortress. Check current opening hours before your visit, as they vary by season and may change depending on special events or maintenance.

The northwest tower, used as a powder magazine, was struck by lightning in 1676; the explosion killed 51 people, damaged 187 houses and brought the tower down. It was never rebuilt to full height and now ends in a conical roof of slate slabs.