Castello Ricetto di Ghemme: the hidden fortress among the vineyards

The Castello Ricetto di Ghemme in Ghemme, Italy, is a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of medieval architecture. The castle was built by the local residents starting in the 11th century, who fortified it to protect against French and Spanish attacks and to serve as a refuge for the population and food supplies. Today, the castle covers an area of 12,000 square meters and has walls four meters high with Ghibelline-style battlements visible on three sides.

The castle is roughly rectangular, measuring 153 meters in length and 83 meters in width. Access to the castle is possible through a tower with a lifting bridge on the short side. The southwest corner of the castle features a cylindrical tower that still stands today. Rooms in the castle were used for various purposes, including storing wine and grain. Some buildings still have frescoes on the walls; one has been removed and is now housed in Novara's civic museums.

Ghemme DOCG wine is still produced, but it is not mentioned in the source material that it is produced and aged in the cellars of the castle.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons