Piedmont is inhabited by a silent people: it is the people of castles. With no less than 526 of them, Piedmont is certainly the most ‘castellated’ region in Italy. The province of Alessandria holds the largest number of them: 258, considering the structures with only a few remnants also.
They served as a protective garrison around small villages where yesteryear life sprang up. The same life that one still breathes or imagines when visiting these enchanting buildings. Not all of them are intact; of quite a number only far-off recollections still remain. In general, however, castles in Piedmont do represent an important heritage, being properly maintained and cared for in most cases. Some castles can be visited, still clad in their vintage adornments. Some others have been turned into restaurants or even luxury hotels offering a fairy tale experience.
The following fact-sheets tell unusual stories and facts about 102 castles out of the 526 spread across Piedmont. The selection, though limited, do conveys the fascination that still lingers within these walls.
