Museum of Castelbrando

Situated on a dominating hilltop over Valmareno and Cison, the castle-hamlet of Castelbrando is an interesting relic set in a 50-hectare park. It's setting alone is worth the visit, with vast views over the surrounding countryside, but the opulence of a such an historic residence adds to its allure.

There has been a fortification at this site since the 10th century, but it wasn't until the area was under the dominance of La Serenessima Republic of Venice that it gained importance and expanded. It became a seat of the Venetian podesta' in 1355, and was an important outpost for centuries. It was given over to the Brandolini family from Forli' and became a feudal estate, and with the peace that the zone enjoyed under the republic, the family enlarged and embellished the castle, making it a regal residence with a proper palazzo feel. It stayed in the family until 1959, an impressive number of centuries!

You can walk around the bastions and the park, and enter to see the salons and enjoy a drink or dinner here (it's now a hotel).

There is also a museum inside, which is interesting to see; it includes armaments, costumes, implements, carriages and music of the castle's long history.