Visconti Castle (Vercelli)

The Visconti Castle of Vercelli is a Middle Age castle located in the center of Vercelli, Piedmont, Italy. Erected at the end of the 13th century, it underwent subsequent transformation to be changed in its use. Today it is the seat of the Tribunal of Vercelli.

History
The castle was built by order of Matteo Visconti of Milan around the year 1290, probably on the ruins of a previous buildings. During the Visconti regime in Vercelli it had been the seat of the podestà. In 1427 the Visconti handed over the city, and with it the castle, to Amadeus VIII, Duke of Savoy. Occasionally it was used by the Savoy as their residence. The blessed Amadeus IX, Duke of Savoy died there in 1472.

It was damaged during the Spanish siege in 1638. Since the 19th century it had been used as the Vercelli prison. Further transformation were done in the 20th century to transform it into the seat of the Vercelli Tribunal.