Castello di Massazza

About the museum

The castle stands on a spur of the Baraggia biellese, in a place probably already inhabited in the Celto-Ligurian, then Roman and Lombard periods, and fortified around the year 1000. It was a typical medieval defensive village, used as a store for provisions, a refuge for flocks and a defence of the village; Celtic altars with votive cup-marks and traces of the Templar era with the symbol of the cross survive here.

In the 13th century it belonged to the Guala family of Casalvolone, in the 14th century to the Visconti of Milan, who gave it several single-light windows in the Lombard style, and from the 15th to the 19th century to the Avogadro family. The complex is dominated by a tall tower built of rubble stone (scapoli) and by a Visconti rocchetta (small fortified tower) with Ghibelline merlons; inside is a chapel dedicated to Sant'Antonino and Sant'Anna with a Romanesque apse and 14th-century frescoes.

Since 1978 it has belonged to the Cavallari family, who oversee its restoration and use it as a home, opening part of it to events, exhibitions and fairs. Rooms with facilities have been created, along with an open-air theatre-arena with excellent acoustics.

Highlights

• Tall tower of rubble stone
• Visconti rocchetta with Ghibelline merlons
• Chapel with Romanesque apse and 14th-century frescoes
• Celtic altars with votive cup-marks
• Open-air theatre-arena

Operated by

Famiglia Cavallari (proprietà privata)

Admission & discounts

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Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

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Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Venue for weddings, christenings, parties, workshops and team building; indoor capacity 250 people buffet-style, 190 seated; civil ceremonies valid on site.

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