Castelli di Cannero

TheCastelli di Canneroare three rocky islets ofLake Maggiorein northernItaly.They are located off the shoreline ofCannero Rivierawhile administratively forming part of theComuneofCannobio.They are known ascastelli,or castles, in recognition of the ruined ancient fortifications which are found on two of them.They are all that remains of the Rocca Vitaliana fortress built between 1519 and 1521 byLudovico Borromeo,who gave it this name in honour of an illustrious ancestor.

Castelli di Cannero

The fortress was built over the ruins of an earlier castle, the Castello della Malpaga, which had been used since the 15th century as a refuge by the powerful, cruel Mazzarditi family. The five Mazzarditi brothers took control of the burgh ofCannobiobetween 1403 and 1404, terrorizing the inhabitants of the district with their acts of violence and piracy.

This went on until theViscontislaid siege to the fortress, starving the bandits into surrender. The old castle was razed to the ground, so that no trace of it remains. The Rocca Vitaliana was then built to defend the upper part ofLake Maggiorefrom incursions by the Swiss after theDuchy of Milanlost control of theCanton of Ticino.The main part of the castle, on the eastern islet, still has its massive walls built right on the water, following the irregular contours of the rock, and some towers of different shapes which still have part of their battlements.

All that remains of the castle on the western islet is a ruined tower and some crumbling parts of the wall. The ruins cannot be visited as they are unsafe, but the view of them from the shore or from a boat continues to be compelling.

The islands’ rocky shores are a magnet for adventurous bathers.

External links

• Media related toCastelli di Canneroat Wikimedia Commons
• Storia dei castelli di Cannero(in Italian)
• Castello di Cannero(in English, German, and Italian)