| The castle of Borgo Fornari was probably built in the period between 1121 and 1182, by the Fornari Family, lineage of great, political and strategic, importance in the country. The Castle, for its strategic position, saw an intense military activity. It become feud of the Spinola and witness of the clash between them and the Doria Family. After the war involving Filippo Maria Visconti and the Republic of Genoa, the Castle passed to the Milanesi House and later on it was transferred to Pope Martino V. In the course of the centuries, the stronghold saw the passing and sometimes the staying, of important figures of history. Francesco I King of France stopped here two times: in 1525 after the defeat suffered against Carlo V and four years later while he was preparing to assault Genoa, that helped Carlo V. |
Also Carlo V himself stayed several times in Borgo Fornari using it as a resting residence. Among the illustrious guests of the Castle let us mention Filippo II, Massimiliano of Bohemia and Luigi XII of France.
The Stronghold lost its military importance in the XVII century, becoming a luxury estate. |
Despite the damages brought by the pass of time the castle, in its main elements, is well preserved and it is undoubtedly an important monument.
Admiring it, you can feel the charm of a place that has lived periods of magnificence and periods of decay and that has seen, on its stones, the passing of more than eight centuries.
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