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Torrione Castle
Approaching to the main gate of Torrione Castle, known in a document of its earliest history as curte Vuidalardi, the Castle gives an immediate impression of strength, while one's attention focuses on its great tower, the donjon, as it almost monopolies the view from the entrance. It owes its existence to Widalardus lege vivere Longobardorum. It was designed by him to close the chain of castles round Vercelli which controlled the plain. The donjon had many advantages, giving long views in every direction and its garrison was within a day's march of Vercelli and the other castles belonging to the Vialardis. This splendid self-contained fortress raises in the inner ward and was constructed before 1147.
As the records still preserved by the Vialardi di Sandigliano Foundation make quite clear, the Castle was built in more than one stage. In size and plan the donjon founded by Widalardus was identical with the present one, but for the first fifty years there were no stone walls or buildings. Between 1150 and 1170 Rolando Vialardi, son of Widalardus, surrounded the palisade by a deep ditch, survived on the northern side until 1865, and built a second tower between Torrione and Verrone castles, known as Rocchetta Castle. Before 1205, under Roberto Vialardi son of Rolando, the outer walls of the donjon to the north, east and south, were built in stone brought from the Elvo river, about 5 miles from the Castle.
As the Castle grew in importance, traders settled naturally outside its wall. Since 1235 there was an independent annual fair lasting two days. At the south-western corner of the new walls was founded (circa 1238) the oratorium S.ti Anthonij Abbatis prope castrum D. D. Comiti de Guidalardis. At the end of his life, Roberto, in order to give a better defense to his chain of castles against Vercelli, founded the first tower of Vettigné Castle.
Between 1350 and 1365, in order to give the main entrance portcullis a further protection, Manfredo Vialardi built vertically up to the drawbridge of Torrione a bertesca and a second Guard room against the curtain wall (Bertesca Castle). Four quadrangular towers were constructed at the corners of the outer walls, increasing the idea of invulnerability of the whole Torrione Castle, largely proved withstanding sieges and battles in all its long history. Undivided in their loyalty to the German Emperors, the Vialardi di Sandigliano survived a constant fighting for their inflexible sense of independence against stronger enemies until the battle of Sandigliano
The Battle
In 1426 Amedeo VIII Duke of Savoie decided to force a way over the plain from his encamp in Ivrea. The battle of Sandigliano was fought on the 21st of September, the battle-cries ranging through the air. Noli me tangere sounded from the Vialardis' ranks when the Savoies' arrows flew fast and thick over the castle, making way for the cavalry with banners flying and lances in rest. Again and again the Savoies dashed against the Torrione, but it was as though the horses charged against an iron wall. Only on the night of the 24th, Manfredo Marquis of Saluzzo, a marshal in Amedeo VIII's armies, captured and ransacked the castle, partially destructed by fire in a desperate and unsuccessful attempt to recapture (25 September). Within one week from that time the whole region had submitted to the Duke of Savoie.
Approaching to the main gate of Torrione Castle, known in a document of its earliest history as curte Vuidalardi, the Castle gives an immediate impression of strength, while one's attention focuses on its great tower, the donjon, as it almost monopolies the view from the entrance. It owes its existence to Widalardus lege vivere Longobardorum. It was designed by him to close the chain of castles round Vercelli which controlled the plain. The donjon had many advantages, giving long views in every direction and its garrison was within a day's march of Vercelli and the other castles belonging to the Vialardis. This splendid self-contained fortress raises in the inner ward and was constructed before 1147.
As the records still preserved by the Vialardi di Sandigliano Foundation make quite clear, the Castle was built in more than one stage. In size and plan the donjon founded by Widalardus was identical with the present one, but for the first fifty years there were no stone walls or buildings. Between 1150 and 1170 Rolando Vialardi, son of Widalardus, surrounded the palisade by a deep ditch, survived on the northern side until 1865, and built a second tower between Torrione and Verrone castles, known as Rocchetta Castle. Before 1205, under Roberto Vialardi son of Rolando, the outer walls of the donjon to the north, east and south, were built in stone brought from the Elvo river, about 5 miles from the Castle.
As the Castle grew in importance, traders settled naturally outside its wall. Since 1235 there was an independent annual fair lasting two days. At the south-western corner of the new walls was founded (circa 1238) the oratorium S.ti Anthonij Abbatis prope castrum D. D. Comiti de Guidalardis. At the end of his life, Roberto, in order to give a better defense to his chain of castles against Vercelli, founded the first tower of Vettigné Castle.
Between 1350 and 1365, in order to give the main entrance portcullis a further protection, Manfredo Vialardi built vertically up to the drawbridge of Torrione a bertesca and a second Guard room against the curtain wall (Bertesca Castle). Four quadrangular towers were constructed at the corners of the outer walls, increasing the idea of invulnerability of the whole Torrione Castle, largely proved withstanding sieges and battles in all its long history. Undivided in their loyalty to the German Emperors, the Vialardi di Sandigliano survived a constant fighting for their inflexible sense of independence against stronger enemies until the battle of Sandigliano
The Battle
In 1426 Amedeo VIII Duke of Savoie decided to force a way over the plain from his encamp in Ivrea. The battle of Sandigliano was fought on the 21st of September, the battle-cries ranging through the air. Noli me tangere sounded from the Vialardis' ranks when the Savoies' arrows flew fast and thick over the castle, making way for the cavalry with banners flying and lances in rest. Again and again the Savoies dashed against the Torrione, but it was as though the horses charged against an iron wall. Only on the night of the 24th, Manfredo Marquis of Saluzzo, a marshal in Amedeo VIII's armies, captured and ransacked the castle, partially destructed by fire in a desperate and unsuccessful attempt to recapture (25 September). Within one week from that time the whole region had submitted to the Duke of Savoie.
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