Castle of the Unnamed

The Castle of the Unnamed sits on a rocky crag in Somasca with defensive towers, walls, and bastions overlooking Lake Garlate. The fortress makes use of the natural rock formation to create a compact but strong defensive position.

The fortress dates back to the Carolingian period and later came under the control of the Visconti family in the 14th century. In 1799 it suffered damage from cannon fire during regional conflicts.

The castle became well-known through Alessandro Manzoni's novel 'The Betrothed', where it appeared as the setting for Lucia's imprisonment. The story has made this place important in Italian literary history.

You can reach the site from Lecco by heading toward Vercurago, where parking and public transit options are available nearby. The path to the top is steep and demands some physical effort, so good footwear is recommended.

A long staircase is carved directly into the rock face, making the climb to the fortress a distinctive experience. This craftsmanship shows how determined the builders were to establish the castle at this remote location.

Location: Vercurago

Creator: Carolingian dynasty

Address: Via alla Basilica, 1

GPS coordinates: 45.81519,9.42656

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:43