Castle of Corenno Plinio, Medieval castle in Dervio, Italy.
Castle of Corenno Plinio is a medieval fortress in Dervio featuring two distinct towers and strong walls built from local stone rising on a promontory. The structure is crowned with crenellated battlements and commands views over Lake Como from its elevated position.
The fortress was constructed between 1363 and 1370 on Roman foundations and served the Andreani family as a strategic stronghold to control lake access. Its construction occurred during an era when such fortifications were vital for trading families along northern lakes.
The adjacent Church of Saint Thomas Becket holds Neo-Gothic tombs of the Andreani family alongside medieval architectural features from different periods. These artworks and structural details reflect the importance this family placed on their stronghold across generations.
The fortress opens for guided tours only on select days each year, with reservations required through the municipal library of Dervio. Early planning is advisable given the limited access, and visitors should check weather conditions since the promontory location is exposed.
The walls feature distinctive swallow-tailed merlons and contain narrow slots specifically designed for distant crossbow fire. These details illustrate how defenders optimized their positions against attackers.
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