Torre Medioevale
About
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Address | Piazza della Torre |
| Phone | 0324.7001 |
It is a massive granite building, near the townhall, in the heart of Varzo.
It existed already in 1300, when the local statutes were written. The building now named "Trattoria Derna" (being an integral part of the tower) used to be an inn for the horse-riders employed in the transport of the goods to the other side of the Simplon in the XIVth century.
In fact, the present baker's shop "La Varzesina" was, at the start of the millennium, a place where goods were kept during the stops, and where the valley council assembled.
Both the inn and the baker's shop have cross-arched ceilins. The Varzo tower, along with the other towers scattered on the Ossola territory, was a look-out and signalling post.
It was repaired in 1571. The house that face the church steps on the other side was also a tower, as high as the first one.
Later it was lowered and made fit for habitation, but it keps its granite structure under the recent plaster. Latin inscriptions on the Crevola white marble posts of the front door and window read: "Peace to this house ad its inhabitants"; "That distinguished gentleman called Gian Giacomo della Torre, notary and surgeon at Varzo, had this tower built in 1582 to be remembered by the people who benefited by this services".
It existed already in 1300, when the local statutes were written. The building now named "Trattoria Derna" (being an integral part of the tower) used to be an inn for the horse-riders employed in the transport of the goods to the other side of the Simplon in the XIVth century.
In fact, the present baker's shop "La Varzesina" was, at the start of the millennium, a place where goods were kept during the stops, and where the valley council assembled.
Both the inn and the baker's shop have cross-arched ceilins. The Varzo tower, along with the other towers scattered on the Ossola territory, was a look-out and signalling post.
It was repaired in 1571. The house that face the church steps on the other side was also a tower, as high as the first one.
Later it was lowered and made fit for habitation, but it keps its granite structure under the recent plaster. Latin inscriptions on the Crevola white marble posts of the front door and window read: "Peace to this house ad its inhabitants"; "That distinguished gentleman called Gian Giacomo della Torre, notary and surgeon at Varzo, had this tower built in 1582 to be remembered by the people who benefited by this services".