Corte Nuova Tower

This square-plan construction spread over five storeys was erected and completed in 1576 by the Marchese di Castiglione delle Stiviere Ferrante Gonzaga (father of the future St Aloysius Gonzaga), who wanted to give the property a fortified building so that he “could sleep safely in the country”.

It was originally surrounded by a large moat that also encircled the production structures and had a retracting walkway for use in the event of danger.
In 1608, Francesco Gonzaga donated the Corte and annexed estate to the Jesuits, who built a small oratory, now lost, and converted the tower to a dovecote, hence the local name of ‘Colombarone’ (big dovecote).