The charming village of Calcio, located in the plains south-east of Bergamo, boasts beautiful frescoes and splendid residences, including the Oldofredi Castle.
Protagonist of countless vicissitudes, the Oldofredi Castle was one of the oldest residences of the feudal lords’ "condominiums" who, from the fourteenth century, lived in these places. The main representative of the "condominium" was the Secco family who owned it since 1380.
The Castle’s most distinguished figure was Count Ercole Oldofredi Tadini. He actively participated in the Risorgimento (Italian Unification) process and specifically in the insurrectionary movements of the Five Days of Milan and who was forced to flee following the return of the Austrians to Milan. The Count continued his remote political activity, leaving his wife the complete management of the building. Over the years, the Count assumed prestigious political roles, until his appointment as senator of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861.
Numerous prominent figures have created the history of Calcio, among these Napoleon III certainly stands out, who, just before the bloody battle of Solferino, lodged with his troops in this castle.
Immersed in the Po Valley countryside, on the border marked by the Oglio river, is an elegant palazzo, whose structure recalls a noble villa surrounded by a defensive moat. Inside, numerous frescoes adorn its walls, testifying to the most significant historical events.
Today, this splendid residence is inhabited by a small community of nuns of the Order of the Passionists, who have set up a school for young people in difficulty.
The building can only be visited on the occasion of special events. It recently hosted an exhibition as unusual as it was interesting, entitled "Your heart does not age in your arms", around a poem by Alda Merini, another important figure in Calcio’s history.
http://bassabergamascaorientale.it/punti-di-interesse/castelli/castello-secco-oldofredi/
The charming village of Calcio, located in the plains south-east of Bergamo, boasts beautiful frescoes and splendid residences, including the Oldofredi Castle.
Protagonist of countless vicissitudes, the Oldofredi Castle was one of the oldest residences of the feudal lords’ "condominiums" who, from the fourteenth century, lived in these places. The main representative of the "condominium" was the Secco family who owned it since 1380.
The Castle’s most distinguished figure was Count Ercole Oldofredi Tadini. He actively participated in the Risorgimento (Italian Unification) process and specifically in the insurrectionary movements of the Five Days of Milan and who was forced to flee following the return of the Austrians to Milan. The Count continued his remote political activity, leaving his wife the complete management of the building. Over the years, the Count assumed prestigious political roles, until his appointment as senator of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861.
Numerous prominent figures have created the history of Calcio, among these Napoleon III certainly stands out, who, just before the bloody battle of Solferino, lodged with his troops in this castle.
Immersed in the Po Valley countryside, on the border marked by the Oglio river, is an elegant palazzo, whose structure recalls a noble villa surrounded by a defensive moat. Inside, numerous frescoes adorn its walls, testifying to the most significant historical events.
Today, this splendid residence is inhabited by a small community of nuns of the Order of the Passionists, who have set up a school for young people in difficulty.
The building can only be visited on the occasion of special events. It recently hosted an exhibition as unusual as it was interesting, entitled "Your heart does not age in your arms", around a poem by Alda Merini, another important figure in Calcio’s history.
http://bassabergamascaorientale.it/punti-di-interesse/castelli/castello-secco-oldofredi/
