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{{Short description|Italian medieval castle in Fénis}}
{{Infobox military structure
{{Infobox military installation
|name=Fénis Castle
| name = Fénis Castle
|location=[[Italy]]
| location = [[Italy]]
|coordinates=
| coordinates = {{coord|45.737365|7.489551|type:landmark|display=inline}}
|image=[[File:Fenis Castle1.JPG|300px|]]
| image = [[File:CastelloDiFénisJuly292023 06.jpg|300px|]]
|caption=View of Fénis Castle from below
| caption = View of Fénis Castle
|map_type=Italy
| map_type = Italy
|latitude=45.737365
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| map_size = 200
|longitude=7.489551
| type =
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|map_size=200
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| built = From 14th century
|type=
| builder = {{ill|Challant family|fr|Famille de Challant}}
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|built=From 14th century
|builder=Challant family
| controlledby = Cabourn family
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| materials = Limestone
|controlledby=Challant family
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| height =
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|materials=Limestone
| used =
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|height=
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| condition =
|used=
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| ownership =
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|condition=
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| open_to_public =
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|ownership=
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| events =
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|open_to_public=
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|events=
}}
}}


'''Fénis Castle''' (Italian: ''Castello di Fénis'', French: ''Château de Fénis'') is an [[Italy|Italian]] medieval [[castle]] located in the town of [[Fénis]]. It is one of the most famous castles in [[Aosta Valley]], and for its architecture and its many towers and battlemented walls has become one of the major tourist attractions of the region.
'''Fénis Castle''' ({{lang-it|Castello di Fénis}}, {{lang-fr|Château de Fénis}}) is an Italian medieval [[castle]] located in the town of [[Fénis]]. It is one of the most famous castles in [[Aosta Valley]], and for its architecture and its many towers and battlemented walls has become one of the major tourist attractions of the region.


==History==
==History==
The castle first appears in a document in 1242 as a property of the [[Viscount]]s of Aosta, the [[Challant family]]. At that time it probably was a simple [[keep]] surrounded by walls. From 1320 to 1420, under the lordship of [[Aymon of Challant]] and of his son [[Boniface I of Challant]], the castle was expanded to the actual appearance.
The castle first appears in a document in 1242 as a property of the [[Viscount]]s of Aosta, the {{ill|Challant family|fr|Famille de Challant}}. At that time it probably was a simple [[keep]] surrounded by walls. From 1320 to 1420, under the lordship of [[Aymon of Challant]] and of his son [[Boniface I of Challant]], the castle was expanded to its actual appearance.


Under Aymon's lordship the castle got its pentagonal layout, the external boundary wall and many of the towers. In 1392 Boniface of Challant began a second building campaign to build the staircase and the balconies in the inner courtyard and the prison. He also commissioned [[Piedmont]]ese painter [[Giacomo Jaquerio]] to paint frescoes on the chapel and on the inner courtyard. Under Boniface I the castle reached its greatest splendor: it was a rich court surrounded by a vegetable plot, a vineyard and a garden where the lord and his guests could relax.
Under Aymon's lordship, the castle got its pentagonal layout, the external boundary wall and many of the towers. In 1392 Boniface of Challant began a second building campaign to build the staircase and the balconies in the inner courtyard and the prison. He also commissioned [[Piedmont]]ese painter [[Giacomo Jaquerio]] to paint frescoes on the chapel and on the inner courtyard. Under Boniface I the castle reached its greatest splendour: it was a rich court surrounded by a vegetable plot, a vineyard and a garden where the lord and his guests could relax.


The castle belonged to the lords of Challant until 1716, when [[Georges-François of Challant]] had to sell it to Count Baldassarre Castellar of Saluzzo Paesana in order to pay his debts, and for the castle was the beginning of a period of decline. It was turned into a rural dwelling and became a stable and a barn.
The castle belonged to the lords of Challant until 1716, when [[Georges-François of Challant]] had to sell it to Count Baldassarre Castellar of Saluzzo Paesana in order to pay his debts, and for the castle was the beginning of a period of decline. It was turned into a rural dwelling and became a stable and a barn.


In 1895 architect [[Alfredo d'Andrade]] purchased it and started a restoration campaign to secure the damaged structures. In 1935 a second campaign by De Vecchi and Mesturino completed the restoration and gave the castle the current appearance. The rooms were also provided with wood period furniture.
In 1895 architect [[Alfredo d'Andrade]] purchased it and started a restoration campaign to secure the damaged structures. In 1935 a second campaign by De Vecchi and Mesturino completed the restoration and gave the castle its current appearance. The rooms were also provided with wood-period furniture.


The castle is today owned by the Autonomous Region Aosta Valley, which turned it into a museum.
The castle is today owned by the Autonomous Region Aosta Valley, which turned it into a museum.
Line 40: Line 39:
The castle is located in the town of [[Fénis]] in the [[Aosta Valley]] region, at about 13 km from the city of [[Aosta]]. The keep has a [[pentagon]]al layout, with [[tower]]s at the corners. It is surrounded by a double boundary wall with [[battlement]]s and by a series of [[watchtower]]s linked by a walkway.
The castle is located in the town of [[Fénis]] in the [[Aosta Valley]] region, at about 13 km from the city of [[Aosta]]. The keep has a [[pentagon]]al layout, with [[tower]]s at the corners. It is surrounded by a double boundary wall with [[battlement]]s and by a series of [[watchtower]]s linked by a walkway.
[[File:Saggiocortile.jpg|thumb|260px|Detail of a fresco of a Wise Man. Walls of the courtyard's balconies.]]
[[File:Saggiocortile.jpg|thumb|260px|Detail of a fresco of a Wise Man. Walls of the courtyard's balconies.]]
Despite his impressive defensive structure, the castle is situated at the top of a small knoll and not of a promontory or another inaccessible and easily defensible place. In fact it was not built for military purposes, but to serve as a prestigious residence for the [[Challant family]].
Despite its impressive defensive structure, the castle is situated at the top of a small knoll and not on a promontory or another inaccessible and easily defensible place. In fact, it was not built for military purposes, but to serve as a prestigious residence for the Challant family.


The inner courtyard, at the centre of the keep, shows a semi-circular stone staircase and wood balconies. At the top of the staicase a 15th-century [[fresco]] features [[Saint George]] killing the dragon, while the walls of the balconies are decorated with images of sages and prophets and proverbs in [[old French]]. The frescoes are attributed to a painter from the school of Jaquerio.
The inner courtyard, at the centre of the keep, shows a semi-circular stone staircase and wood balconies. At the top of the stairs a 15th-century [[fresco]] features [[Saint George]] killing the dragon, while the walls of the balconies are decorated with images of sages and prophets and proverbs in [[old French]]. The frescoes are attributed to a painter from the school of Jaquerio.


The interior of the castle is divided into three floors: on the ground floor it is possible to visit the [[weapon]]ry, the kitchen, the woodshed and the storage tank to collect rainwater. On the first floor there were the rooms of the lords of the castle, the [[chapel]] with frescoes by Giacomo Jaquerio and his school and the court. The second floor, in the attic, was dedicated to the servant's quarter and is not visitable.
The castle's interior is divided into three floors: on the first floor it is possible to visit the [[weapon]]ry, the kitchen, the woodshed and the storage tank to collect rainwater. On the second floor there were the rooms of the lords of the castle, the [[chapel]] with frescoes by Giacomo Jaquerio and his school and the court. The third floor, in the attic, was dedicated to the servant's quarter and is not visitable.


==See also==
==See also==
Line 50: Line 49:


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.lovevda.it/turismo/scopri/cultura/castelli/fenis_e.asp?tipo=scheda&pk=979&nomesch=sch_Patrimonio Fénis castle on www.lovevda.it] (multilingual)
*[http://www.lovevda.it/turismo/scopri/cultura/castelli/fenis_e.asp?tipo=scheda&pk=979&nomesch=sch_Patrimonio Fénis castle on www.lovevda.it] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022135359/http://www.lovevda.it/turismo/scopri/cultura/castelli/fenis_e.asp?tipo=scheda&pk=979&nomesch=sch_Patrimonio |date=2014-10-22 }} (multilingual)
*[http://www.regione.vda.it/cultura/patrimonio/castelli/castello_fenis/default_f.asp Le château de Fénis] {{fr icon}} {{it icon}}
*[http://www.regione.vda.it/cultura/patrimonio/castelli/castello_fenis/default_f.asp Le château de Fénis] {{in lang|fr|it}}
*[http://www.fenisweb.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=50&Itemid=144&lang=en Fénis unofficial tourism website] {{en icon}} {{fr icon}} {{it icon}}
*[http://www.fenisweb.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=50&Itemid=144&lang=en Fénis unofficial tourism website] {{in lang|en|fr|it}}


<BR>
{{Landmarks of Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta}}
{{Landmarks of Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Fenis Castle}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fenis Castle}}
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[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1420]]
[[Category:Castles in Aosta Valley]]
[[Category:Castles in Aosta Valley]]
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[[Category:Buildings and structures in Aosta Valley]]
[[Category:Museums in Aosta Valley]]
[[Category:Museums in Aosta Valley]]
[[Category:Historic house museums in Italy]]
[[Category:Historic house museums in Italy]]
[[Category:Fénis]]

Latest revision as of 19:00, 16 July 2024

Fénis Castle
Italy
View of Fénis Castle
Fénis Castle is located in Italy
Fénis Castle
Fénis Castle
Coordinates45°44′15″N 7°29′22″E / 45.737365°N 7.489551°E / 45.737365; 7.489551
Site information
Controlled byCabourn family
Site history
BuiltFrom 14th century
Built byChallant family [fr]
MaterialsLimestone

Fénis Castle (Italian: Castello di Fénis, French: Château de Fénis) is an Italian medieval castle located in the town of Fénis. It is one of the most famous castles in Aosta Valley, and for its architecture and its many towers and battlemented walls has become one of the major tourist attractions of the region.

History

[edit]

The castle first appears in a document in 1242 as a property of the Viscounts of Aosta, the Challant family [fr]. At that time it probably was a simple keep surrounded by walls. From 1320 to 1420, under the lordship of Aymon of Challant and of his son Boniface I of Challant, the castle was expanded to its actual appearance.

Under Aymon's lordship, the castle got its pentagonal layout, the external boundary wall and many of the towers. In 1392 Boniface of Challant began a second building campaign to build the staircase and the balconies in the inner courtyard and the prison. He also commissioned Piedmontese painter Giacomo Jaquerio to paint frescoes on the chapel and on the inner courtyard. Under Boniface I the castle reached its greatest splendour: it was a rich court surrounded by a vegetable plot, a vineyard and a garden where the lord and his guests could relax.

The castle belonged to the lords of Challant until 1716, when Georges-François of Challant had to sell it to Count Baldassarre Castellar of Saluzzo Paesana in order to pay his debts, and for the castle was the beginning of a period of decline. It was turned into a rural dwelling and became a stable and a barn.

In 1895 architect Alfredo d'Andrade purchased it and started a restoration campaign to secure the damaged structures. In 1935 a second campaign by De Vecchi and Mesturino completed the restoration and gave the castle its current appearance. The rooms were also provided with wood-period furniture.

The castle is today owned by the Autonomous Region Aosta Valley, which turned it into a museum.

Closeup of the boundary wall and one of the towers.

Description

[edit]

The castle is located in the town of Fénis in the Aosta Valley region, at about 13 km from the city of Aosta. The keep has a pentagonal layout, with towers at the corners. It is surrounded by a double boundary wall with battlements and by a series of watchtowers linked by a walkway.

Detail of a fresco of a Wise Man. Walls of the courtyard's balconies.

Despite its impressive defensive structure, the castle is situated at the top of a small knoll and not on a promontory or another inaccessible and easily defensible place. In fact, it was not built for military purposes, but to serve as a prestigious residence for the Challant family.

The inner courtyard, at the centre of the keep, shows a semi-circular stone staircase and wood balconies. At the top of the stairs a 15th-century fresco features Saint George killing the dragon, while the walls of the balconies are decorated with images of sages and prophets and proverbs in old French. The frescoes are attributed to a painter from the school of Jaquerio.

The castle's interior is divided into three floors: on the first floor it is possible to visit the weaponry, the kitchen, the woodshed and the storage tank to collect rainwater. On the second floor there were the rooms of the lords of the castle, the chapel with frescoes by Giacomo Jaquerio and his school and the court. The third floor, in the attic, was dedicated to the servant's quarter and is not visitable.

See also

[edit]
[edit]
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