Comune Carbonara Scrivia

piazza Mons. Clelio Goggi - 15050 Carbonara Scrivia (AL)
Tel. +39 (0131) 892.122
E-mail: info@comune.carbonarascrivia.al.it
http://www.comune.carbonarascrivia.al.it

Farming and industrial municipality in the plain of the lower course of the Ossona river, located on the first hills of Tortona. The ground rises gradually from the riverbank according to a characteristic terracing. At the centre of the town stands a dongione, only remains of a castle which should date back to the 14th century or early 15th century, belonging to the Guidobono Cavalchini, an important noble family of the area of Tortona, who kept it until the eighties of the 20th century, before giving it to the municipality of Carbonara Scrivia as a gift. The typical construction called "dongione" was built by Pierino Cameri on a preceding one belonging to the Curolo family, lords of Carbonara, who started to decline from 1246. At that time, Carbonara Scrivia was defended by the dongione, a fortified enclosure or castle, moat and two gateways. There was a well inside the enclosure. In the mid 15th century, it passed to the Guidobono Cavalchini. The fortress, on a par with the castle of which no trace remains, was destroyed several times and rebuilt. In 1828, a strong earthquake ruined the fortress and some years later the last and final roof collapse considerably damaged the construction. The outside construction alternates bricks and stones in the scarp wall. Two hanging towers to reinforce the curtain wall are connected by a walkway jutting out over ledges and embrasures. The lack of openings, moreover, constructed in relatively recent times, suggests a structure mainly used for military defence purposes (as well as food storage), even if the analysis of the interiors, with spacious and comfortable rooms, seems to favour a residential use also by the owners.