In Rivarolo in Canavese, on the right bank of the Orco River, the Castello (Castle) di Malgra was built between 1333 and 1336 as Martino di San Martino, lord of Rivarolo and Aglie and descendent of King Arduino, requested. Legend has it that the term “Malgra” is derived from the fact that the castle was built “malgrado” (notwithstanding) the opposition of the Valperga family, foes of the San Martino family, although the origin of the name probably comes from the site’s place name. The setting of clashes between the two families, the castle was conquered by the marquises of Monferrato, allied with the Valperga, and only later sold to the Savoy who returned it to the San Martino family after an act of submission. In 1626, Ludovico Pievano di Pont, the last descendent of the San Martino family, ceded the fiefdom which became the primary property of the Cortina family, then of the Francesetti family, and finally of the Robilant family. After destructions and reconstructions, the castle was restructured by the architect Alfredo D’Andrade between the 19th century and the 20th century to whom we owe the exposure of the medieval structure. The Castello di Malgra was acquired by the city in 1982.
