Binasco Castle – between the history of the Visconti and the legend of Beatrice

History and description

Built between the 13th and 14th centuries in the village of Binasco, already mentioned in a bishop’s bull of 1129, the castle—named after the town itself—features an elongated quadrangular layout typical of medieval fortresses. Externally, it was originally equipped with four corner towers, of which only two remain today, along with a moat and walls decorated with mullioned windows and battlements. Inside, it preserves frescoed rooms and a chapel. Over the centuries, it was at the center of the struggles between the Torriani and the Visconti families, and it was largely expanded by the latter, whose presence is still testified by the Visconti serpent carved at the entrance. After passing into French hands in 1796, the castle eventually became regional property. Today, it can be visited in its 16th‑ and 17th‑century structures and serves as the town hall, with the library located in the area that once housed the prisons.

Curiosities

The building is especially known as the site of the execution of Beatrice di Tenda, the first wife of Filippo Maria Visconti. Accused of adultery, she was beheaded together with the man believed to be her lover—most likely only to allow the duke to marry the woman he truly desired. This tragic episode was later immortalized in the opera Beatrice di Tenda by Vincenzo Bellini with libretto by Felice Romani.

Access

Open daily except Mondays, from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, the castle can be visited at the cost of €8, with free entry and specific reductions available.

How to reach it

Located in the town center, the building can be reached by car from Milan via the A7 motorway, or by regional train lines in Lombardy.

Immersed in both history and legend, Binasco Castle is an unmissable stop on any Lombard itinerary.

Photo credits: Panoramio upload bot (Wikipedia) - Licensed by CC 3.0