Vittorio Emanuele II ordered the construction of the Castle of the Lakes in Piedmont, Italy, in the mid-19th century, situated near three artificial lakes: Cristoforo, della Strada, and Grande. The castle was designed for hunting and fishing migratory birds. The Bonomi Bolchini family acquired the castle in the 20th century, with the marquess Luigi Medici del Vascello, a descendant of the Garibaldino Giacomo Medici, brokering the sale. The architect Pietro Porcinai designed the gardens.
In 1995, the Region of Piedmont took ownership of the property.
The castle was chosen as the TV set for a live broadcast of the opera La Cenerentola by Gioachino Rossini in 2012 and was the main location for the film The Nest (Il nido) by Roberto De Feo in 2019, starring Francesca Cavallin. The building recalls a medieval castle, reflecting the eclecticism common in the second half of the 19th century.
The architecture is minimal, with French chateau influences and a distinctive Y-shaped form. After the Bonomi Bolchini family's purchase, the original appearance, characterized by four towers, two being merlated, was modified. The changes included the construction of the two projecting wings relative to the central body and affected the large gardens designed according to updated architectural styles.
Today, the Castle of the Lakes stands as a testament to the past, with its unique history, stunning gardens, and association with Italian films.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nicolo Ciampini
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