The Bonoris Castle

A great architectural example of the most important neo-Gothic style of Lombardy

By Associazione culturale GardaMusei

Ingresso con ponte levatoio (1891/1905) by GardaMuseiAssociazione culturale GardaMusei

In the 10th century, Berengario I, King of Italy, provided the village of Montichiari of a defense system consisting of walls, later completed with towers, moats, drawbridges and walkways. The first documentary evidence of a fortified building on San Pancrazio’s hill dates back to 1107, when Montichiari was ruled by counts Longhi and the fortress had an important strategic function.

Muro esterno del castello (1891/1905) by GardaMuseiAssociazione culturale GardaMusei

Torre del castello (1891/1905) by GardaMuseiAssociazione culturale GardaMusei

Dettaglio esterno del castello (1891/1905) by GardaMuseiAssociazione culturale GardaMusei

Vista esterna del castello Bonoris (1891/1905) by GardaMuseiAssociazione culturale GardaMusei

Over the centuries, however, the castle was subject of destruction and reconstruction, related to the succession of several wars and the relative changes in its functionality.

Scorcio, GardaMusei, 1891/1905, From the collection of: Associazione culturale GardaMusei

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Il fianco orientale del castello e la torre circolare, GardaMusei, 1891/1905, From the collection of: Associazione culturale GardaMusei

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Merlatura del castello (1891/1905) by GardaMuseiAssociazione culturale GardaMusei

In 1890 the Municipality decided to sell the area because it was in an obvious state of disrepair. The buyer of the medieval ruins was Gaetano Bonoris (1861-1923), heir to the vast land in the municipality of Montichiari and awarded with the noble title of count by King Umberto I.

Ingresso del cortile, GardaMusei, 1891/1905, From the collection of: Associazione culturale GardaMusei

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Il Castello Bonoris - scalinata, GardaMusei, 1891/1905, From the collection of: Associazione culturale GardaMusei

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Decorazione con stemma della famiglia, GardaMusei, 1891/1905, From the collection of: Associazione culturale GardaMusei

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arcate e ballatoi lignei (1891/1905) by GardaMuseiAssociazione culturale GardaMusei

In his ambitious project, Gaetano Bonoris wanted to intervene on the rock to make it his own house, reinterpretinga lost medieval time in a fairy-tale atmosphere.

Stanza da letto del conte Bonoris (1891/1905) by GardaMuseiAssociazione culturale GardaMusei

The beautiful interior also features rich materials, decorations, frescoes and furnishing.

Vista panoramica della stanza (1891/1905) by GardaMuseiAssociazione culturale GardaMusei

Scorcio interno al castello, GardaMusei, 1891/1905, From the collection of: Associazione culturale GardaMusei

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Sala del Consiglio (1891/1905) by GardaMuseiAssociazione culturale GardaMusei

Stanza decorata (1891/1905) by GardaMuseiAssociazione culturale GardaMusei

Sala reale (1891/1905) by GardaMuseiAssociazione culturale GardaMusei

Sala interna al castello (1891/1905) by GardaMuseiAssociazione culturale GardaMusei

Decorazione marmorea (1891/1905) by GardaMuseiAssociazione culturale GardaMusei

Affreschi della cappella (1891/1905) by GardaMuseiAssociazione culturale GardaMusei

The interiors, decorated with still remarkably preserved frescoes, shows precious furniture and well-refined locks, all made by skilled craftsmen who completed the work in 1905.

La parete di fondo della Cappella con la Salita al Calvario (1891/1905) by GardaMuseiAssociazione culturale GardaMusei

Incoronazione di Cristo e di Maria by GardaMuseiAssociazione culturale GardaMusei

Dettaglio 8 - sala del consiglio, GardaMusei, 1891/1905, From the collection of: Associazione culturale GardaMusei

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Decorazione con scritte (1891/1905) by GardaMuseiAssociazione culturale GardaMusei

Dettaglio 4 - sala del consiglio, GardaMusei, 1891/1905, From the collection of: Associazione culturale GardaMusei

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Un particolare del fregio dei Nove Prodi e delle Nove Eroine, GardaMusei, 1891/1905, From the collection of: Associazione culturale GardaMusei

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Dipinto a parete (1891/1905) by GardaMuseiAssociazione culturale GardaMusei

Dettaglio 7 - sala del consiglio (1891/1905) by GardaMuseiAssociazione culturale GardaMusei

Dettaglio 5 - sala del consiglio, GardaMusei, 1891/1905, From the collection of: Associazione culturale GardaMusei

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Un particolare del seggio con baldacchino della Camera Verde, GardaMusei, 1891/1905, From the collection of: Associazione culturale GardaMusei

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Dettaglio 2 - sala del consiglio, GardaMusei, 1891/1905, From the collection of: Associazione culturale GardaMusei

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Dettaglio 6 - sala del consiglio, GardaMusei, 1891/1905, From the collection of: Associazione culturale GardaMusei

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Dettaglio 10 - sala del consiglio, GardaMusei, 1891/1905, From the collection of: Associazione culturale GardaMusei

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Dettaglio 3 - sala del consiglio, GardaMusei, 1891/1905, From the collection of: Associazione culturale GardaMusei

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Dettaglio di affresco (1891/1905) by GardaMuseiAssociazione culturale GardaMusei

Dettaglio decorazione su parete (1891/1905) by GardaMuseiAssociazione culturale GardaMusei

Illustrazione del castello Bonoris (1891/1905) by GardaMuseiAssociazione culturale GardaMusei

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