Top 5 Castles around Gerenzago

The Castello di San Colombano (or Castello Belgioioso) stands in the medieval village famous for its vineyards and for being an exclave in the province of Milan. Dating back to the 6th century and rebuilt by Barbarossa in 1164, it is divided between a private area (the keep) and a communal one (the fortified village).

The Ramp on Via Collada in San Colombano al Lambro (MI) is a climb of about 700-1160 meters that starts right by the castle walls. It is known for its challenging average gradient of ~17% and peaks exceeding 20%] Length: Approximately 1.16 km (with a steep initial section of ~ 500 meters). Elevation gain: ~ 199 meters. Average gradient: 17.12%. Maximum gradient: Very steep, suitable for intense training (MTB/road bike climb category).

This palace is called the "Versailles" of Lombardy. Everything is locked. According to the sign, it can be visited by appointment. The grounds are vast.

Chignolo Po Castle

On gravel we followed dirt roads along waterways and cycle paths as much as possible, but you can get there faster with a road bike.

We left Gorgonzola in the direction of the Chignolo Po Castle, one of the sumptuous country residences of Lombardy, and after about three hours we arrived at our destination... discovering that the Castle was closed... no big deal we took pictures from the outside. Its oldest part is the tower, built as a garrison on the Po and on the connecting routes between northern Europe and Italy. The Castle, built in the thirteenth century, was transformed into a princely palace in the eighteenth century, through an imaginative stylistic reworking of the building. It appears as a majestic terracotta construction, surmounted by a protruding gallery supported by stone brackets. Each window is framed in white. The most spectacular element is the central tower, square and with battlements, embellished with a small loggia. Inside you can admire the apartments in which Pope Clement XI, Napoleon Bonaparte and Francis I of Austria were hosted, as well as the sumptuous ballroom on whose ceiling the glory of the four seasons is painted. The Castle is also home to the Museum of the History of Lombard Agricultural Civilization, created with the intent of bringing together the many historical realities that have formed the foundation of the agricultural activities of the lower Po Valley and the Lombard Wine Museum. The visit route aims to admire the monumental complex of the Castle of Chignolo Po and to enhance the history of its centuries-old royal fiefdom and its position along the Via Francigena. The visits are only guided as the Castle is a private residence. Nice trip!

The church of San Michele Arcangelo is in an excellent state of conservation thanks to recent restorations. The façade shows a typical style of the 17th century and is divided into two parts by a horizontal brick frame. At the bottom, there are three portals flanked by slender pilasters. Above the central portal is a fresco dedicated to the saint. The upper half is framed by two curly volutes and two hollow niches that enclose a central window. The façade is crowned by a slightly projecting tympanum with a cross and three columns. The colours of the façade, a delicate balance between white and brown, give a foretaste of the opulence and wealth inside.

The Castello di Belgioioso, has a rich and fascinating history. The castle was originally built in the 14th century by the Belgioioso family. It served as a fortified residence to protect the surrounding area and as a symbol of power and prestige. In the 16th century, the castle underwent important renovations and extensions. The architecture was influenced by the Renaissance style, with elegant loggias, arcades and beautiful frescoes. In the 18th century, Antonio Barbiano obtained the elevation of Belgioioso to a principality in 1796 and expanded and rebuilt the medieval castle, enriched with extensive gardens and greenhouses in neoclassical style by the architect Leopold Pollack. In the 19th century, the castle became a meeting place for artists, writers and philosophers. It was a breeding ground for creativity and intellectual exchange. Today, the Castle of Belgioioso is managed by the Ente Fiera dei Castelli di Belgioioso e Sartirana. It organizes exhibitions and events that highlight the history, art and culture of the region.