Explore #2 of the Wet, with excitement Tour

After our explore of the disused ceramics factory, James and I drove on through the rain to this abandoned castle.

History
The true history of this place is uncertain – the most oft-recounted version goes like this:

This medieval castle was built at the end of the 11th century, and was originally used for military purposes such as a practice ground for knights and soldiers. Local folklore recalls a story of a famous knight who lived at the castle and was murdered in its grounds.

At the end of the 16th century the castle was heavily damaged, looted, and burned during the war with Spain. Some years later one of the towers was struck by lightning and again heavily damaged.

Over the centuries the castle underwent many transformations and expansions, including the construction of the 48-metre high tower. By the early 1920s the castle had been completely restored, but has since fallen into disrepair and been left abandoned.

….or the alternative history: There is a similar castle in the same town which dates back to 1170. A Count related to the nobles of the city claimed inheritance rights over the ‘real’ (i.e. original) castle. Despite years of quarrels with other descendants the Count’s inheritance bid failed. Enraged, he hired a famous architect from Turin who was an expert in medieval construction to design and build an identical castle just 200 metres from the original. This new castle was designed and built in just 3 years.

… pick whichever ‘history’ you prefer!

Our explore
This was a relaxing little wander around for an hour or so, and welcome shelter from the continuing incessant rain.

As always click on a photo to VIEW LARGE

Castello di R Italy castle Urbex Adam X Urban Exploration drive driveway entrance outside exterior photo photos report decay detail UE abandoned derelict unused empty disused decay decayed decaying grimy grime
Looking back down the driveway…

Castello di R Italy castle Urbex Adam X Urban Exploration spiral staircase looking down stairs photo photos report decay detail UE abandoned derelict unused empty disused decay decayed decaying grimy grime
…I made my way up these spiral stairs…

Castello di R Italy castle Urbex Adam X Urban Exploration Balcony Tower outside ceiling photo photos report decay detail UE abandoned derelict unused empty disused decay decayed decaying grimy grime
…and out onto this exposed balcony/walkway.

Castello di R Italy castle Urbex Adam X Urban Exploration shadows tiling floor colours balcony photo photos report decay detail UE abandoned derelict unused empty disused decay decayed decaying grimy grime

Castello di R Italy castle Urbex Adam X Urban Exploration balcony tiled floor painting murals mould colours photo photos report decay detail UE abandoned derelict unused empty disused decay decayed decaying grimy grime

Castello di R Italy castle Urbex Adam X Urban Exploration Inside spiral staircase painted stone steps stairs photo photos report decay detail UE abandoned derelict unused empty disused decay decayed decaying grimy grime
Internal spiral staircase…

Castello di R Italy castle Urbex Adam X Urban Exploration ceiling rose windows painted painting ornate looking up photo photos report decay detail UE abandoned derelict unused empty disused decay decayed decaying grimy grime
…and looking up at the painted staircase ceiling.

Castello di R Italy castle Urbex Adam X Urban Exploration ornate painted hallway corridor walls murals fresco frescoes detail flowers photo photos report decay detail UE abandoned derelict unused empty disused decay decayed decaying grimy grime
I think the delicate ceiling painting made this decaying corridor one of the most photogenic parts of the castle’s stripped remains.

Castello di R Italy castle Urbex Adam X Urban Exploration rooftop roof turret tower landscape view top looking out photo photos report decay detail UE abandoned derelict unused empty disused decay decayed decaying grimy grime
I made my way up another tightly-spiralled staircase to admire this view out over the dilapidated rooftop and soggy landscape beyond…

Castello di R Italy castle Urbex Adam X Urban Exploration spiral stairs staircase stone painting painted photo photos report decay detail UE abandoned derelict unused empty disused decay decayed decaying grimy grime
Back down the stairs…

Castello di R Italy castle Urbex Adam X Urban Exploration dining hall fireplace murals painted paintings fresco photo photos report decay detail UE abandoned derelict unused empty disused decay decayed decaying grimy grime
…and into this room on the ground floor. I’m not 100% certain what it would have been used for, but perhaps some sort of dining room?

Castello di R Italy castle Urbex Adam X Urban Exploration dining hall painted wall photo photos report decay detail UE abandoned derelict unused empty disused decay decayed decaying grimy grime

Castello di R Italy castle Urbex Adam X Urban Exploration dining hall painted wall mural fresco photo photos report decay detail UE abandoned derelict unused empty disused decay decayed decaying grimy grime

Castello di R Italy castle Urbex Adam X Urban Exploration chapel painted wall scene fresco mural photo photos report decay detail UE abandoned derelict unused empty disused decay decayed decaying grimy grime
There was a tiny chapel (and I mean tiny – as in a 10-foot square enclave) annexed off one of the rooms. This is detail of one of the walls…

Castello di R Italy castle Urbex Adam X Urban Exploration chapel ceiling looking up photo photos report decay detail UE abandoned derelict unused empty disused decay decayed decaying grimy grime
…and looking up at the painted ceiling.

Castello di R Italy castle Urbex Adam X Urban Exploration chapel ceiling detail painted ornate grand crest emblem badge motif photo photos report decay detail UE abandoned derelict unused empty disused decay decayed decaying grimy grime

Castello di R Italy castle Urbex Adam X Urban Exploration large room fireplace painted wall photo photos report decay detail UE abandoned derelict unused empty disused decay decayed decaying grimy grime
Another large, bare, downstairs room with colourful walls and a large fireplace.

Castello di R Italy castle Urbex Adam X Urban Exploration photo photos report decay detail UE abandoned derelict unused empty disused decay decayed decaying grimy grime

Castello di R Italy castle Urbex Adam X Urban Exploration courtyard arch archway entrance gate photo photos report decay detail UE abandoned derelict unused empty disused decay decayed decaying grimy grime
On our way out I grabbed a couple of quick shots in the courtyard at the back…

Castello di R Italy castle Urbex Adam X Urban Exploration courtyard garden well outside exterior external photo photos report decay detail UE abandoned derelict unused empty disused decay decayed decaying grimy grime
…including one of the well.

Hunger getting the better of us, we jumped back into our little hire car and went hunting for a McDonalds…

Thanks for stopping by.
Adam X