Mattarella Hill, south of Domodossola, stands on Ossola Valley plain at an altitude of 413 metres. From the hill, you can enjoy a magnificent view of Domodossola and of all the Ossola mountains that surround the city. Inhabited in ancient times, the hill probably took its name from a pagan sanctuary dedicated to the Matronae, on which a church dedicated to Mary was later built.
Mattarella Hill was under military occupation in the 7th century. It was the site of a large castle that suffered repeated assaults and damage over the centuries. In 1014, Emperor Henry of Saxony entrusted ownership of the castle to the Church of Novara: the Bishop of Novara moved his palace and the Church curia here. In 1321, Ossola fell under the ruler of the Visconti: Mattarella Castle became the dominion of the Duchy of Milan and maintained its functions, especially its military use, until 1415, when the Swiss came down from the Alpine passes to occupy Ossola Valley and demolished it, almost completely destroying the Bishop’s palace, the surrounding walls and the most important towers.
Following these dramatic events, only a few traces of the ancient fortress are visible today: the tower stands out above all at the top of the hill and the long curtain is well-preserved. There is unfortunately nothing left of the rest of the castle and the enormous entrance towers, other than a few traces of the foundations.
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