Castle Oldofredi Iseo

Unfortunately closed, well maintained, at least what you see from the outside, the stairs are out of tune, but if it houses a library ... with barriers?

I have fought many times under the walls of this fortress, both to defend it and to conquer it. Fortunately, in recent years the wars have subsided and the castle has become a place where the people of the people gather happily and exchange glances of reunion and happiness. Perhaps the future will reserve us having to defend our manor again and then we will arm ourselves with spears and swords and arrows and pitch and do what needs to be done to defend our bastion. Sure that God will be on our side. Gather the standard bearers, at the first light of dawn we will be at war.

Unfortunately, the castle is currently closed for public works in progress. Nice outside.

Photo feb. 2021 The Oldofredi castle is pretty overall, with a beautiful park that invites you to visit. Unfortunately, the flooring of the access stairs is anonymous, almost like a gym, and clashes with the medieval character of the building; it belittles it. Much better the secondary access with a beautiful white stone portal and the park with a cannon. Currently the museum of the two wars is closed. It will reopen after the restoration. I hope that the municipality can intervene on the public green to restore charm to the castle. It should take its cue from the gardens in Paratico. ? I recommend continuing in the historic center and visiting the Arsenale ? and the lakefront with its cantilevered walkways. Iseo has beautiful buildings, elegant squares, antique and high fashion shops. If you are sporty, get on your bikes up to the Torbiere. ?

The Castle is called Oldofredi for the noble family that was the feudal lord of Iseo for centuries. They sided with the Duchy of Milan and the Scaligeri, therefore bitter enemies of the Venetians and this had a decisive weight for the life of the manor. A first fort already existed in 1000-1100, probably formed by a single tower (keep) and perhaps walls. Of it the base remains, which is visible only from the inside, in the south wing. Later it was incorporated into the 13th-14th century castle, which assumed a rectangular plan (48x28 m) with a deep moat. At that time it was isolated from the village, while today we find it inserted in the urban fabric and in a modestly elevated position. The advent of the Venetian domination led to the loss of the castle by the Oldofredi. Passed to the Celeri, it was given to the Franciscan friars in 1585, who transformed it into a monastery. Today you can still see - on the southern side - the convent with the church of San Marco, deconsecrated and used as a civic hall (open on certain occasions). This part is currently off-limits for construction but I was able to see it last year. After the Napoleonic suppression, the friars had to leave and the former convent was sold to private individuals and portioned to make apartments. A spinning mill was built in the south! Since 1960 the Municipality of Iseo has bought it and has started a progressive work of recovery and enhancement. In the northern part, the premises house the Museum of the Two Wars and the Library. Parking is best found outside the historic center, which are also free and without time limits. A short distance from the manor, continuing along the slope of the southern side, do not miss the high ground on which stands the church of the Madonna della Neve, one of the oldest in Iseo, from which you can enjoy a beautiful view.