Castle of Savignone, Medieval castle in Savignone, Italy.

Castle of Savignone stands on a rocky spur with a semi-circular great tower and rear defensive wall built into the natural stone formation. From its hilltop position, the structure commands views over the surrounding valley and the land below.

The castle is first documented in 1207, when Tortona founded it and installed Ogerio as castellan from 1207 to 1210; a papal bull of 1157 and Barbarossa's Privilegium of 1176 may point to an earlier origin. In 1242 Genoa's podestà Corrado di Concesso took Savignone after negotiations with its castellans, and the castle soon passed to the Fieschi, who held it longer than any other family.

The castle's name comes from the village below, and its keepers changed hands repeatedly: Tortona, the Marabotto, the Spinola and finally the Fieschi, who held it longest. The Crosa di Vergagni marquises, Fieschi heirs through the marriage of Nicolò and Carlotta Fieschi, were the last owners; the municipality now owns the site.

The trail to the castle starts from Savignone village and goes uphill along a hiking path. The climb is steep, so wear proper shoes and allow time for the walk.

The southern tower is only partly intact: its outer face keeps a large window on the upper floor and a gun port at basement level, while the interior retains a stretch of stair and the recesses of fireplaces on the first and second floors. Its horseshoe plan, straight inside and curved outside, was meant to resist early firearms.