CASTLE D'ARCO
Bishop takes Rook at Northern Italy Medieval Castle
Clinging
to a rock cliff above the Northern Italian town of Arco, a stone
defense bastion, the
color of the
rocky precipice from which
it rises dominates the old town center below. Arco lies just north of
Lake Garda in the lower Dolomites on the road from Trento to Riva Del
Garda (see Lake Garda).
The early records of the Castle Arco which stand guard over the Sarca
River plain are sketchy, with the first construction
going back to the 10th Century. The present castle became the residence
of the familia d'Arco in the 12th Century and the fortifications extended
and reinforced through the turbulent and bellicose struggles of this
contested region throughout the middle ages until the1400’s when
the feudal lords of the castle decided to move to more comfortable lodgings
in the medieval town below.
Following
the age of the Renaissance in the Trentino region (see Castello
del Buonconsigio)
and the time of the family poet, Nicolo a’Arco, the Archduke
Ferdinand had the castle occupied in 1614 which began the fortress’s
decline culmination in its bombardment by General Vendome in the
French invasion
of the region in 1703. In the late 1800’s under the Hapsburgs,
the Austrian empire which ruled the Italian North ended the feudal
privileges of the Earls of Arco and auctioned off their family assets.
Inside
the towering defensive walls, you’ll find the open space
once used as jousting lists, remains of the early water system, the “tailor’s
room”, bread ovens and the remains of the old kitchen. The castle
most importantly contains a well preserved cycle of medieval art frescoes
depicting court games of the time, dating to about 1380. Look for the
chess board in the medieval bishop’s hand and calculate your own
move to game that’s been in progress for 600 years!
To visit the Castel d’Arco, parking can be found in the central square of village below. Follow the path along the old walls of the city after visiting the Arco city hall for open times and details. A guided tour of the castles of Garda Trentino can be arranged through the local tourist bureau. © Bargain Travel Europe
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SEE ALSO:
LAGO
d'ISEO - HOTEL VILLA KINZICA
MILLE
MIGLIA MUSEUM
CASTLES AND TRUFFLES
