Castle and Drawbridge – Former Oratory now Library

THE CASTLE – The castle occupies the entire summit of the hill to the north of the parochial church of Santa Maria Assunta, with its architectural structure and surrounding walls. It was possibly built before the year 1000 and today only partially retains its medieval structure. Its ancient walls were surrounded by a six-meter-deep moat, which is now completely filled in, and enclosed the fortified village with the Church of S. Maria, two tower houses, a long building to the south of the church (now used as a rectory), and the massive construction of the drawbridge in the southeast area.

Between 1609 and 1610, Giovanni da Lezze described it as a “ruined castle,” and it is likely that in the early 18th century, the castle was partially reconstructed following the original design. It is known that in the 20th century, the castle premises were used as dwellings, and in 1995, the parish priest, Don Andrea Ferronato, initiated a series of restoration and renovation interventions both on the exterior and interior parts.

THE DRAWBRIDGE dates back to the 13th century and is characterized by an entrance with a barrel vault that leads into the square in front of the church.

THE FORMER ORATORY – Continuing southeast from the drawbridge, there is a building where members of a confraternity or religious community used to gather for prayer. Initially used as a burial place, it later became the parish youth center of Erbusco. Since 2007, it has undergone a radical restoration and is now a municipal library.