Castellaro Castle, Medieval castle in Castel d'Ario, Italy.

Castellaro Castle is a late medieval fortress in Castel d'Ario featuring preserved walls, towers, and the prominent Praetorian Palace set within its fortified boundaries. The complex anchors the Piazza Castello and forms the core of the walled settlement.

The castle dates to the 10th century and guarded the borderlands for the Scaligeri, Bonacolsi and Gonzaga families. Documents record restoration work by architect Luca Fancelli between November 1478 and June 1484. The place was called Castellaro until 1867, when the municipality took the name Castel d'Ario.

The castle's name changed from Castellaro to Castel d'Ario in 1867, when the municipality took its present name. Inside the pentagonal layout, the Torre della Fame takes its name from skeletons found there in the mid-19th century, identified as members of Francesco Pico della Mirandola's family and of the household of Rinaldo Bonacolsi. A plaque on the castle door recalls the episode.

The castle stands in the historic centre of Castel d'Ario, in the province of Mantua, and its pentagonal layout with five towers can be walked around on foot. The Praetorian Palace, the only recently restored building, now houses the municipal library and is used for official functions. Access to the interior rooms depends on the library's opening hours, so check locally before planning a visit.

The Torre della Fame takes its name from skeletons found inside in the mid-19th century, identified as members of Francesco Pico della Mirandola's family and of the son and nephews of Rinaldo Bonacolsi, walled in and left to starve. A plaque on the castle door records the episode. In 1484 Evangelista Gonzaga was also imprisoned here, accused and later cleared of plotting against Marquis Francesco II Gonzaga.