The Saints, between history and devotion

Faces and stories that have
crossed time

From the Middle Ages to the modern age, men and women who shaped the life of the Castle

Throughout its eight centuries of history, the Castle of Uviglie has welcomed some of the most significant figures of Piedmontese and Italian spirituality, nobility and culture.
It all began in 1322 with the Pocaparte, a family that built the first fortification, followed by the Pico, who in 1499 were adopted by the Gonzaga of Mantua, giving rise to the Pico-Gonzaga dynasty of Uviglie.

Among its illustrious guests are St. Louis Gonzaga, who spent a few summers here as a young man; St. John Bosco, bound by deep friendship with Armodio Callori and present at his funeral; St. Joseph Allamano, founder of the Missionaries of the Consolata, who during the war made the castle a refuge and a place of spiritual custody; and St. Eusebius of Vercelli, Piedmont’s first bishop, to whom the ancient parish church in the park is dedicated, a tangible sign of the devotion that has inhabited this hill for centuries.

But the Castle was also a place of inspiration for visionary figures such as Emanuele Cacherano of Bricherasio, among the founders of FIAT, and his sister Sofia, a reserved artist and the last guardian of a noble and cultured era.
Even today, their stories inhabit rooms and corridors, making the Castle not just a monument, but a living witness to time.

St. Michael the Archangel

Heavenly defender, protector of the Lombards, spiritual guide of the West

In 490 AD, on Mount Gargano, the Archangel Michael appeared to Bishop Lorenzo Maiorano, forever consecrating a sacred place to the Christian faith. His figure soon became a symbol of protection and divine justice, venerated by peoples and rulers. He was chosen by the Lombards as their patron saint after his miraculous apparition during the battle of 663 AD—an event that sealed the bond between the Archangel and King Liutprand, ancestor of the family that inhabited the Castle. A sacred thread that spans centuries and is still reflected in its surroundings today.

St. Eusebius of Vercelli (ca. 283 - 371)

Piedmont's first bishop

The first bishop of Piedmont and patron saint of the region, he was a staunch defender of Christian orthodoxy. The Parish Church of San Eusebio, an ancient place of worship located in the castle grounds, is dedicated to him.

St. Louis Gonzaga (1568-1591)

A young saint, guest of honor within the walls of the Castle

A member of the Gonzaga family, he renounced the comforts of the nobility to devote himself to religious life and service to the sick. As a young man, he spent several summers at Uviglie Castle, where he is still remembered with devotion.

St. John Bosco (1815-1888)

Friendship, faith and a bond that spans the centuries

Founder of the Salesians, he was linked to Uviglie Castle by his friendship with Armodio Callori. His funeral was held in 1879 in the park’s small church, making the castle a spiritual reference point for the area.

St. Joseph Allamano (1851-1926)

Guardian of hope in difficult times

Founder of the Consolata Missionaries, during the Second World War he was symbolically present at the Castle, where his body was kept to protect it from the bombings on Turin.

Experience the Castle

Where history becomes experience

Walk through the places where saints, nobles and visionaries lived

Every room, every stone, every glimpse of Uviglie Castle tells stories that still inspire today.
Saints and intellectuals, educated women and pioneers of change have walked here.
To visit the Castle is to connect with this living legacy, to breathe in its atmosphere, to be surprised by its beauty and to pick up its witness.
Whether you choose a visit, an event or a special occasion, the Castle is ready to welcome you.