|
Historical Introduction Vialardis Lineage Library 1031-1147 1147-1426 1426-1933 1933-1997 Report on Excavations Downloads the Castle history (pdf) Vialardis History (pdf) The Statutes of the Commune Of Bugelle Site Map the Bookstore the Post Office Copyrights |
After the Battle
The Vialardis went into political exile and acute distress for more then fifty years and only in the last years of the XV century the crenellated walls of the Castle underwent subtle changes towards a better comfort and architectural elegance. In 1559 Manfredo Vialardi, Comes Sandilianj et Villanovæ, extended the Grand Reception room (the present "Salone della Storia Sacra") upon the Guard Chamber (the present "Gallerie") by the addition of a store. This new portion of the Castle was linked few years later to the outer walls and to the gatehouse by his cousin Johannes Anthonis ex comitibus Sandilianj.
Their achievement was eclipsed by the more grandiose reconstruction undertaken by Agostino Vialardi and his wife Anna Avogadro di Cerrione for the marriage of their only daughter Lodovica with her cousin Giovanni Tomaso Vialardi, to whom much of the present appearance of the Castle is due. Typical of this sumptuous period are the frescoes of the the Imprese Chamber, the former Knights' Audience Chamber and the Shroud, all painted by Giovanni Mauro and Giovanni Battista Della Rovere (the Fiamminghini) between 1608 and 1610.
In 1710 Tomaso Vialardi, Giovanni Tomaso's grandson, first esquire of H.R.H. Anna duchess d'Orléans and later of her husband H.R.H. Vittorio Amedeo II, XV duke of Savoie, completed the internal structure of the Castle. Torrione Castle reached in this period its splendor.
At the beginning of the century
In 1922 Torrione Castle was not a ruin, but its roof was in danger of collapse, the stonework was perishing and its lighting, heating, sanitary and cooking arrangements were as they had been left in 1840. Repair work was urgently required and Count Tomaso Vialardi called as architect Carlo Nigra, which reputation was established unshakably at the top as pupil and friend of Alfredo d'Andrade. The rebuilding was prolonged a considerable time, due the unexpected death of Count Tomaso (1927) and his daughter Teresa Eleonora (1932). His elder son Carlo, esquire of H. R. H. Lydia duchess of Pistoia, princess and duchess of Arenberg, gave his delicious and eccentric wife Fanny Tornielli, Countess of Vergano, carte blanche to renovate the Castle as she wished.
It soon became clear that Countess Fanny and Nigra had totally different conceptions of what Torrione should be. The basic incompatibility in their points of view led to quarreling so bitter that it is a wonder that the Castle was ever finished at all. The work was completed in 1933 and the Castle was rebuilt almost from its foundations, but its strong medieval character remaining unaffected.
Not one of its buildings is less than five hundred years old and the oldest dates back to the twelfth century. They have grown together and the fusion of styles, periods and needs gives to the Castle its unity and authenticity.
The Vialardis went into political exile and acute distress for more then fifty years and only in the last years of the XV century the crenellated walls of the Castle underwent subtle changes towards a better comfort and architectural elegance. In 1559 Manfredo Vialardi, Comes Sandilianj et Villanovæ, extended the Grand Reception room (the present "Salone della Storia Sacra") upon the Guard Chamber (the present "Gallerie") by the addition of a store. This new portion of the Castle was linked few years later to the outer walls and to the gatehouse by his cousin Johannes Anthonis ex comitibus Sandilianj.
Their achievement was eclipsed by the more grandiose reconstruction undertaken by Agostino Vialardi and his wife Anna Avogadro di Cerrione for the marriage of their only daughter Lodovica with her cousin Giovanni Tomaso Vialardi, to whom much of the present appearance of the Castle is due. Typical of this sumptuous period are the frescoes of the the Imprese Chamber, the former Knights' Audience Chamber and the Shroud, all painted by Giovanni Mauro and Giovanni Battista Della Rovere (the Fiamminghini) between 1608 and 1610.
In 1710 Tomaso Vialardi, Giovanni Tomaso's grandson, first esquire of H.R.H. Anna duchess d'Orléans and later of her husband H.R.H. Vittorio Amedeo II, XV duke of Savoie, completed the internal structure of the Castle. Torrione Castle reached in this period its splendor.
At the beginning of the century
In 1922 Torrione Castle was not a ruin, but its roof was in danger of collapse, the stonework was perishing and its lighting, heating, sanitary and cooking arrangements were as they had been left in 1840. Repair work was urgently required and Count Tomaso Vialardi called as architect Carlo Nigra, which reputation was established unshakably at the top as pupil and friend of Alfredo d'Andrade. The rebuilding was prolonged a considerable time, due the unexpected death of Count Tomaso (1927) and his daughter Teresa Eleonora (1932). His elder son Carlo, esquire of H. R. H. Lydia duchess of Pistoia, princess and duchess of Arenberg, gave his delicious and eccentric wife Fanny Tornielli, Countess of Vergano, carte blanche to renovate the Castle as she wished.
It soon became clear that Countess Fanny and Nigra had totally different conceptions of what Torrione should be. The basic incompatibility in their points of view led to quarreling so bitter that it is a wonder that the Castle was ever finished at all. The work was completed in 1933 and the Castle was rebuilt almost from its foundations, but its strong medieval character remaining unaffected.
Not one of its buildings is less than five hundred years old and the oldest dates back to the twelfth century. They have grown together and the fusion of styles, periods and needs gives to the Castle its unity and authenticity.
© 1996-2006. All rights reserved
Castello del Torrione™ is a registered trademark of Vialardi di Sandigliano Foundation © 1995-2008. All rights reserved.