Fondazione Ugo Da Como - Rocca di Lonato (Brescia)

The Castle

Visitor's guide

The Castle of Lonato, locally known as the "Rocca",stands on the summit of one of the hills in the Morenic Amphitheatre dominating the southern side of Lake Garda. The southern slope of this hill shelters the historical centre of Lonato, the limits of which, today, border the Padana lowlands.

The fortification may be considered one of the most important in Lombardy. Its irregular and vaguely irregular form reveals a central structure almost 180 meters in length and approximately 45 metres in width.

It is composed of two structures at different levels: the so-called Rocca in the upper part and, lower down, what is called the General Quarters.

Despite the long domination by the Visconti and Scaligeri families, the walled embankment, built in large morenic rocks, carries Guelph merlons.

On the southern side, the Castle may be entered through a door and drawbridge (1), which were restored in 1980 thanks to the intervention of the Superintendence of Architectural Works. In the right wall, a postern allows the passage of a single person, while a niche overhead houses the Lion of San Marco, symbol of Venetian dominance.

Before the entry, on the right, rise the immense brickwork ramparts(2), on whose summit there are still traces of the niches for the cannons placed in defence of the fortification.

Once through the entry, again on the right, it is possible to visit the ruins of the guard rooms (3),through which it is possible to reach the entry to the rampart pill-box.

After going up the steps, on the left side it is possible to enter the Headquarters which still show the remains of the chimney flues from the troupe barracks (4) (also called "quarters"), as well as a room provided with a great oven for cooking the food.

Through an acutely-pointed archway access may be gained to the northern quarters where, on the far side, it is possible to visit the remains of a look-out and artillery post (6), brought to light in the mid-eighties.

Going back along the rounds (7), from which it is possible to enjoy a spectacular panorama of Lake Garda , one reaches the entry to the Rochetta (8), by the side of which edges rises the solid structure of the keep, with its dungeons (9).

Once past the entry, on the western side it is possible to observe the restored look-out Monizione quarters (10), through which it is now possible to reach the top of the keep, the highest point in the whole castle.

The southern side, from which one can get a clear view of the historical centre and great part of the plains, still preserves the remains of some rooms, reduced to paving and side-walls (11).

Parallel to the east side of the Rochetta rises the Lord's dwelling (12), home in ancient times of the holder of the castle. It is a rectangular structure with rooms on two floors: the first is now place of the ornithological museum while in the basement was transformed a few years ago in a conference-room.

Recently, at the rear, excavations have brought to light the cisterns used to collect and store rainwater (13), which were also fed by the well which is still visible near to the house.

In the north-eastern corner , the emergency door opens with a long and narrow staircase leading to the external base of the castle, where in 1938, several human skeletons were discovered in a niche. In the same year, the ravelin protecting this door (16) was demolished.

The northern side of the Rocchetta is characterized by the remains of some rooms, the function of which is difficult to interpret. (17)