Castello di Castel d'Ario, Castel d'Ario

The castle of Castel d'Ario, is an ancient stronghold dating back to the 10th century located in the historic center of Castel d'Ario, in the province of Mantua, which preserves the original urban layout as well as some buildings and defensive works, including the five towers.

It was always an important bulwark for border lands for the Scaligeri, Bonacolsi and Gonzaga.

Inside the castle stands the Tower of Hunger so called because, in the mid-19th century a number of skeletons were found in it, traced back to members of Francesco Pico della Mirandola's family and grandsons and Rinaldo Bonacolsi's son, Francesco, who were locked up there and left to starve to death. A plaque on the castle door recalls this event.Inside the tower was also locked up in 1484 Evangelista Gonzaga accused and later exonerated of plotting a conspiracy against Marquis Francesco II Gonzaga.

Certain documentation proves that the well-known architect Luca Fancelli was in charge of restoration work carried out between November 1478 and June 1484.

The Praetorian Palace, the only recently restored building, is used as a place of representation and home to the municipal library. Inside, important 14th-century frescoes referring to the Scaliger lordship have been unearthed.