The Torre Viscontea (Visconti tower) of Invorio is the symbol of this little town and is certainly a point of reference for locals. It rises strong and mighty on a small hillock precisely in the middle of town, surrounded by century-old conifers and lime trees and just a short distance from the ancient fort.
The Torre Viscontea of Invorio in history
The Torre Viscontea, which more or less dates back to the 12th century, is the best-kept part of a complex of buildings from the 12th-13th centuries. These comprise the Castello di Invorio (Invorio castle), a fort of strategic importance to defend the southern borders of the Vergante area and destroyed on the wishes of Galeazzo Visconti between 1356-1358 during the war with Marquis Monferrato for supremacy over the area of Novara.
Structure of the Torre Viscontea
The tower in carved stone is approximately 16.5 m high and was built with carefully-squared blocks of stone in a characteristic dark-grey colour. An opening is visible at 5 metres, on the southern side of the tower. This is the architraved porta originale (originale door) above which is a marble plate with the Visconti Coat of Arms: the biscione (large grass snake) swallowing half a child with open arms. Access was provided by a ladder or rope on the ledge (where the specific shelves still remain).
There are only a few, narrow windows on the other sides. The Torre Viscontea is empty however in past times it was divided into three wooden floors connected with steps. The structure was completed with Ghibelline battlements with swallow-tailed merlons, which were only added to the original structure in the 19th century.
Curiosities about the Torre Viscontea
The tower’s history is tied with the vicissitudes of Margherita Pusterla, a beautiful lady from the 14th century married to Francesco Pusterla. She was imprisoned on the wishes of her cousin Luchino Visconti, who fell in love with her. When she refused him, Luchino, Lord of Milan, had her killed along with her husband and children. One of the roads in Invorio is named after her.
Photo gallery Torre Viscontea di Invorio
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