Photo: Laurom · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Castello di Moncrivello

Medieval castle on a hill above the Vercelli plain, residence of Jolanda di Francia, open to the public since 1996 for visits and events.

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About the museum

As early as the 13th century, Moncrivello had a stronghold. It was sold to the municipality of Vercelli but remained under the Diocese of Vercelli. In 1399, after a brief rule by Antonio Fieschi of Genoa, the castle passed to the House of Savoy under Amedeo VIII. Jolanda di Francia (1436–1478), wife of Amedeo IX, transformed the fortress into a noble residence: she made it her favourite home and died there in 1478. Shortly afterwards, the wedding of Bianca di Monferrato and Carlo I of Savoy was celebrated there.

After the Franco-Spanish Wars, the castle lost its prosperity, and in the 17th century it was contested between noble Piedmontese families. In 1692 it passed to the del Carretto family; a serious fire in 1817 (or, according to other sources, in 1825) was followed by a long period of neglect. Its characteristic feature is a large square keep with terracotta windows and machicolations, which leads to the inner courtyard; Jolanda's works added battlements, a spiral staircase, coffered ceilings and terracotta fireplaces.

In 1972 restoration work began, promoted by private owners, which made it possible to reopen the castle to the public in 1996. Today it hosts cultural and artistic events, ceremonies and visits on request, and is part of the regional castle visiting circuits.