Castello di Montecalvo

The Castello di Montecalvo is situated in the municipality of Montecalvo Versiggia in Italy. This stone fortification was established by medieval builders as part of a defensive network controlling the Versa valley.

In the early 13th century, between 1214 and 1216, the castle was embroiled in the military conflicts involving Emperor Frederick II of Swabia, who aligned with the city of Pavia against forces from Milan and Piacenza. During these hostilities, the stronghold suffered repeated attacks and widespread looting, which led to its eventual ruin.

Decades later, in 1287, the castle entered the possession of Uberto Beccaria, an aristocrat from a Ghibelline family with roots in Pavia. The Beccaria family’s connection to the site continued for centuries. In 1596, an inscription records that Federico Beccaria, son of Annibale, financed the construction of a deep well within the castle, demonstrating efforts to improve its facilities.

Following the death of Count Claudio, the last of the main Beccaria lineage, in 1621, ownership transitioned to a different branch of the family. Eventually, the castle shifted from a defensive bastion to a countryside residence under Giuseppe Pietragrassa Berio Beccaria, although the feudal rights associated with the land were held by the Belcredi family.

The 19th century saw further changes in ownership. Early in that century, the Pisani Dossi family acquired the property, which later passed to the marquises Brignole of Genoa. On November 24, 1879, Niccolò Brignole sold the castle to Carlo and Luigi Fiori, cousins who became its private owners.