Castello di Monzambano, Monzambano

The castle of Monzambano is an ancient stronghold dating back to the 11th century located on a rise above the center of Monzambano, in the province of Mantua, which preserves the original urban layout intact, as well as some medieval buildings and defensive works, including the towers and the Guelph-embattled perimeter defense walls. Inside the walls is the small church of San Biagio.

Probably built to defend the population from barbarian invasions in the 11th century at the behest of Matilda of Canossa, in the early 13th century it passed into the ownership of the Scaligeri, who defeated the Mantuans at Ponte Molino. In 1391 it was acquired by the Visconti family. In 1495 the Venetian Republic settled in Monzambano, and the castle remained in their domains until the end of the 18th century. In Napoleonic times, the town came under Mantua again.