Cavernago, Castello di Malpaga

The Castle dates back to the 14th century, but was substantially redone in the 16th century, when it became the property of Bertolomeo Colleoni who, after becoming a General in Chief of the Venetian Republic, decided to elect Malpaga as his personal residence. The fortress in fact constituted a good strategic location, permitting him to keep under control eventual attacks from the Dukes of Milan. Afterwards, the Castle passed on to the Martinengo family, who accentuated its characteristics as an elegant residence.
The structure of the Castle reveals its double residential and defensive function. Originally it was protected by two round walls and by two moats. The first wall surrounded the stalls and the residences of the soldiers and their families, the second surrounded the castle itself. The outer wall doesn't exist anymore and the castle appears surrounded by a dry moat.
The principal entrance has maintained the drawbridge,while the other entrance has a masonry bridge. The courtyard is surrounded on two sides by an elegant loggia decorated with frescoes. The grand hall of honouron the ground floor is known above all for its large fresco, representing the "Visita di re Cristiano di Danimarca al Colleoni" (Visit of King Christian of Denmark to the Colleoni), which took place in 1474. The representation of the large banquet organised in his honour was set in the same hall that now hosts the fresco. A staircase allows to reach the upper floor where the sumptuous bedroom of the Colleoni can be visited.