Castello Bissari Sforza Colleoni, Medieval castle in Costabissara, Italy.
Castello Bissari Sforza Colleoni is a medieval fortress in Costabissara, in the province of Vicenza. Its oldest part is the main block with four original Gothic windows; the load-bearing walls are notably thick, especially at the northeast corner, where a tower is thought to have stood. A 16th-century entrance door from the portico and an 18th-century balcony on the southwest side were added later.
The castle was built in the 10th century and suffered major destruction in 1241, followed by reconstruction in 1285 under the Bissari family. Over the following centuries it passed through various ruling families who shaped its role in the region.
The castle park holds the Oratorio di Sant'Antonio, restored in the early 1900s by the De Buzzacarini, who added a bell tower. Bishop Antonio Feruglio reconsecrated it on 26 November 1900, as an inscription on the altar records. Inside, Gino Raselli of Asolo frescoed miracles of the patron saint, and a Carrara marble altar frames a statue of Saint Anthony speaking to the faithful.
The castle is located on Via Giuseppe Mazzini in Costabissara and hosts local events throughout the year. Check ahead for current opening times and event schedules before planning your visit.
The castle's official name, Bissari Sforza Colleoni, honours its three main historical owners, as recorded on plaques outside the two entrances. Common use still keeps the older name Villa De Buzzacarini, because the property was sold under that name only in 1973, when the Putin family bought it.
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