Introd Castle

The castle is privately owned; in fact it belongs to the Caracciolo di Brienza counts, but it is possible to visit it with guides, thanks to the management of the Fondation Grand-Paradis.

It is very nice to admire the view from the top of the thirteenth-century tower, restored in 2012: facing the spectacle of Mont Blanc. The castle tower was in fact reopened to the public in July 2012, after a restoration that also involved other parts of the complex

The interior hall is decorated with a very particular fresco that runs along the walls: many individual scenes are framed near the ceiling. Each of these figures represents a tree. Below is a trompe-l’œil tapestry.

The castle suffered two traumas in modern times that led to new restorations: a fire in the second half of the nineteenth century and one at the beginning of the twentieth century. In particular, in the latter case, the works were directed in 1910 by the architect Jean Chevalley on commission from the owner, Cavalier Gonella, bringing the castle to its present form.

The first nucleus of the castle probably dates back to the 12th century and originally consisted of a square keep surrounded by a wall, like all medieval castles in the Aosta Valley. The Castle suffered two disastrous fires in the second half of the 19th century and was subsequently restored at the beginning of the 20th century by Cavalier Gonella who made use of the work by the architect Chevalley.

On the esplanade in front of the castle, a magnificent structure has been preserved, one of the rare examples of constructions entirely in wood typical of the architecture of the late Middle Ages in the Aosta Valley: it is the fifteenth-century granary, where the grain and seeds were stored. The two portals are equipped with wrought iron locks, both dating back to the time of construction, one of which, of particular beauty, represents a castle.

Contacts

Fondation Grand Paradis
11010 INTROD (AO)
Telefono: 0165.75301
Fax: 0165.749618
E-mail: info@grand-paradis.it Internet www.grand-paradis.it

Prices

Full € 4.00
Reduction € 2.00
Torre del Castello € 2,00
Free for children up to 6 years, handicapped and accompanying persons, residents, tourist and hiking guides