Chrizia Affittacamere is just a 10-minute walk from Novi Ligure Castle Park, which is located near the historic center and was for centuries the northernmost border of the Republic of Genoa. It is part of the Lower Piedmont "Open Castles" circuit.
A document from 976 A.D., which tradition attributes to Empress Adelaide, mentions a small defensive construction in this place, although the first certain mention appears in a document dating back to 1153, which attested to the presence of the castle consisting of a fortified place on the fortress to protect a group of houses placed at its foot not protected by walls. It had an enclosure with an irregular plan and a square tower thirty meters high; it was strengthened by the Visconti family (1353-1392 and 1412-1447). The earliest image dates from 1594; it is a schematic drawing showing a tower crowned with Ghibelline battlements and a wall enclosure. A more detailed drawing from 1648 shows two buildings, the castellan's residence and troop quarters, the tower and the walls that surrounded them. Passed to the Genoese in 1447 it was further strengthened and was briefly occupied by the Austrians in 1746 and then remained in Genoese hands until 1797 (if one considers the Ligurian Republic until 1805), then it was dismantled by the French
The Castle of Novi Ligure in a late 19th century print
All that remains of the castle is the tower and parts of the surrounding walls, which now border part of the large park. It was crowned with Ghibelline battlements that have been lost but can still be perceived, despite the present roofing with a tile roof.
During the Second War of Independence in 1859, an optical telegraph was installed on the top of the Castle Tower in order to report troop movements in the vicinity.
Curiosity: As in all self-respecting castles, according to tradition, a spectre is said to roam in Novi Castle Park: it is a knight in armor on horseback who would roam the Castle Park on full moon nights; after a few laps around the Tower, he would disappear into thin air without leaving a trace.
Redevelopment: Over the past few years, redevelopment and urban regeneration works have been planned for Castle Park, which are part of a project funded by the European Union under the PNRR with a contribution of 3,500,000 euros. The project includes the rehabilitation of historic paths that were not initially planned, as well as the remodeling of games for children and the placement of an area dedicated to (calisthenics) physical wellness path with equipment available to all, and there will also be a performance area and free wifi zones;
the old dance floor will remain and the historic white marble benches will be restored and repositioned; the main access will be widened with slopes suitable for the disabled below 8 percent with ramps, alternating with flat parts, so as to make the path to the upper part of the park much easier and within the reach of all frequenters.
The Novi Ligure Castle Park Redevelopment Project.
The ultimate goals of redevelopment
Novi Ligure's Castle Park is the only green area in the city, a place suitable for families, sportsmen and relaxation, its redevelopment is definitely an added value and an additional tourist stop for this area full of hidden treasures just waiting to be enhanced and shared.
source: wikipedia
Comments