The Colleoni Castle of Solza

Solza - Solza is a town in the province of Bergamo in Lombardy. The undisputed symbol of the city is the Colleoni Castle, dating back to a period between the 10th and 11th centuries. Initially it was a set of buildings that constituted a fortified place in defense of the owners including the Colleoni. Here was born Paolo Colleoni, a famous leader as the plaque inside the fortress recalls.

The castle has undergone structural interventions over the centuries; like the construction of a tower of the thirteenth century only after its construction did the walls rise which gave the shape to the castle we know today. On the left side of the structure there is a stone engraved with a sun with a trigram of San Bernardino da Siena ascribable to the 15th century. The buildings were built in different eras such as the loggia that opens onto the courtyard. In the internal rooms openings with pointed arches and a window with side seats on the north side. The complex has an irregular layout once closed by high walls which today are demolished on the west side. Around the castle there was a dry moat, still identifiable today. On the right side there is the Colleoni coat of arms, representing the lion-headed sticks. In 1998 the castle was purchased by the municipality and since then numerous exhibitions have been set up inside.