Padernello Castle, located in Brescia in Lombardy, looks like it has been pulled from the most beautiful storybook you ever read as a child. Set in lush green surroundings with crumbling reddish orange walls and an emerald coloured moat hugging its edges, it is colourful and picture perfect. Despite its romantic and somewhat dilapidated appearance, the castle is very much a part of local contemporary life through educational programs with local schools, public events, exhibitions and a popular farmer's market which is hosted by the castle. If you want to experience the Italy of movies and perfect photographs in travel guides, this sight is sure to deliver.
Just find a vacation villa in Lombardy and spend a day strolling around the castle, learning about its legends and history, shopping and tasting the local offerings.
The village of Padernello, home to this astounding castle is tiny, made up of a single crossroads lived with 17th and 18th century buildings and with just a church, five restaurants, some shops and homes. In the village, it seems as though time has stood still and it warrants a wander before you even head to the castle.
The castle was built by the Lords of Brescia, the Martinengo family, in 1450 and occupied it until the 19th century.
The village of Padernello, home to this astounding castle is tiny, made up of a single crossroads lived with 17th and 18th century buildings and with just a church, five restaurants, some shops and homes. In the village, it seems as though time has stood still and it warrants a wander before you even head to the castle.
The castle was built by the Lords of Brescia, the Martinengo family, in 1450 and occupied it until the 19th century.
In the 18th century, the interior rooms and main staircase, were altered significantly under the supervision of Giovan Battista Marchetti who also worked on the redesign of the Duomo in Brescia.
There are many legends from the time of the Martinengo family, the most famous of which is the legend of the “Dama Bianca” who is said to haunt the castle. Bianca Maria was the daughter of Count Martinengo of Brescia in the fifteenth century. She was very beautiful, delicate, thin and pale and was a sensitive character. This was quite different from her family who, like many nobles of the time, were scheming creatures prone to involvement in violent and political plots.
Despite the rich environment in which she was raised, she shunned a materialistic lifestyle and spent her time meditating and praying. However, she became more fragile and sickly over time and, in November 1479, was sent by her father to her uncle Bernardino’s castle in the countryside in Padernello, to recuperate. In July 1480, she fell into the moat and drowned at just thirteen years old. She is now said to return every July since then, dressed in a white gown, with a golden book in her hand.
Padernello Castle, however, is much more than just its legends. If you want to read about the wonderful dining program it offers, farmer's markets it host and exhibits housed inside, check out our second article about this truly magical spot – a true gem in Lombardy.
There are many legends from the time of the Martinengo family, the most famous of which is the legend of the “Dama Bianca” who is said to haunt the castle. Bianca Maria was the daughter of Count Martinengo of Brescia in the fifteenth century. She was very beautiful, delicate, thin and pale and was a sensitive character. This was quite different from her family who, like many nobles of the time, were scheming creatures prone to involvement in violent and political plots.
Despite the rich environment in which she was raised, she shunned a materialistic lifestyle and spent her time meditating and praying. However, she became more fragile and sickly over time and, in November 1479, was sent by her father to her uncle Bernardino’s castle in the countryside in Padernello, to recuperate. In July 1480, she fell into the moat and drowned at just thirteen years old. She is now said to return every July since then, dressed in a white gown, with a golden book in her hand.
Padernello Castle, however, is much more than just its legends. If you want to read about the wonderful dining program it offers, farmer's markets it host and exhibits housed inside, check out our second article about this truly magical spot – a true gem in Lombardy.
Photo credits
picture 1: Mercurioblu / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Massimo Telò / CC BY-SA 3.0
picture 1: Mercurioblu / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Massimo Telò / CC BY-SA 3.0