Up on the high pudding-stone walls of a double bend on the river Adda, Trezzo castle overlooks one of the loveliest points in Lombardy (a little further downstream is the gorge Leonardo painted in the background of the Mona Lisa).
The castle was built around 1365 by Barnabò Visconti on top of fortifications remaining from the Longobard era; in doing so he created one of the strongest Visconti fortifications in Lombardy.
The major fortifications, raised to defend the most easily attacked side, were built on the west side of the river near the village; a bridge (dismantled in 1416 by Carmagnola) connected the castle to the opposite bank of the river.
Some of the fortifications were dismantled in the 18th c. and the materials used in the construction of the Villa Reale in Monza and the Arena Civica in Milan. However, much of the remaining fortifications can be visited either on Sundays when they are open to all, or by appointment. There is a glorious view of the Adda and its rocky banks.
Milan