Sartirana PV

Sartirana Castle and the Pila

The Sartirana Castle is an imposing structure dating back to the 14th century. It was originally constructed in the late 1300s under the orders of Gian Galeazzo Visconti and was later enhanced in the late 1400s by the Sforza family. The castle maintained its primary layout until the 16th century when the Gattinara family, who resided there until 1934, transformed it into a comfortable residence. The castle features a typical quadrilateral plan, a moat, an inner courtyard, and four corner towers. Noteworthy is the cylindrical tower, designed and built by the architect Ridolfo Fioravanti between 1464 and 1466.

Adjacent to the castle is the Pila building, which now serves as a venue for events and houses a permanent exhibition dedicated to the American fashion designer Ken Scott. Historically, the Pila was used as a warehouse for rice processing. Inside, it still preserves its early 20th-century machinery and a unique vertical-axis mill, all in excellent condition.