San Giuseppe Castle (Italian: Castello di San Giuseppe) is a castle located in Chiaverano, Piedmont, Italy.

History

The site has held significant historical importance as a military observation point—from the summit of Mount Albagna overlooking Lake Sirio—dating back to the ancient Romans during their war against the Salassi.[1]

In 1640, Tomaso Barberio from Guarene, a veteran of the Savoy militia, withdrew into hermitage on the mountain where the castle now stands. There, he built a chapel dedicated to St. Joseph, inspired by a pre-existing votive shrine. In April 1661, the Bishop of Ivrea authorized the establishment of a confraternity, which soon welcomed 150 friars. The hermitage was initially entrusted to the Teresians and later to the Carmelites, who obtained permission from the Holy See to build a convent, which became known as the Convent of St. Joseph. For a long time, the site remained one of the most frequented sanctuaries in the region.[1][2]

Converted into a fortification during the Napoleonic era, it later became a noble residence and a gathering place for artists and writers, including Arrigo Boito, Eleonora Duse, and Giuseppe Giacosa.[1][2]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Castello di San Giuseppe - località Monte Albagna". Unione Comuni della Serra (in Italian). Retrieved 2025-02-13.
  2. ^ a b "Chiaverano (castello di San Giuseppe)". Mondi Medievali (in Italian). Retrieved 2025-02-21.

Media related to Castello di San Giuseppe at Wikimedia Commons

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