# Proh Castle

- **Country:** Italy
- **Location Text:** Briona

Proh Castle, known locally as Castello di Proh, is a historic residence situated in the town of Briona within the Piedmont region of Italy. Constructed during the second half of the 15th century, the structure was originally commissioned as a luogo di delizie, or place of delights, for Francesco I Sforza. Unlike typical military fortifications of the era, its design prioritized residential comfort and recreation over defense. This non-military purpose is evidenced by its modest size, isolated location at the foot of a wooded hill, and the presence of three other well-equipped fortresses within a five-kilometer radius, which rendered additional defensive structures unnecessary for the area.

The architectural layout of the castle features an asymmetrical, slightly irregular rectangular plan distinguished by round towers at the northeast and southwest corners. While the complex originally included two drawbridge-equipped entrances and surrounding moats, the water defenses have since been filled in, and some internal structures have absorbed former gateway towers. Throughout its long history, the property has changed hands numerous times, passing from the Sforza family to the Tornelli, Caccia, and Cattaneo families. In the 19th century, the Fantoni family converted the noble residence into a farmhouse before ownership eventually transferred to Count Arese Lucini and later to private families from Milan in the early 20th century.

Today, Proh Castle stands as a significant example of Renaissance recreational architecture in the province of Novara. Although it underwent functional changes to serve agricultural purposes in the 1800s, the core structure retains its historical character with uniform wall heights and distinct corner towers. The site offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of Italian nobility who sought retreats away from the rigors of court life, transitioning from a ducal pleasure palace to a working farm and finally to a preserved historical landmark. Its evolution reflects the broader social and economic shifts in the Piedmont countryside over the last five centuries.

![Photo of Proh Castle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/84/Briona_Castello_di_Proh2.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proh_Castle (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)