The Medieval castle

Leno’s castle

Description

The term "castle" is probably derived from " castellum " Roman , designating minor

fortifications located along the borders of the empire.

In the Middle Ages the castle instead becomes the private

residence of a feudal lord , and the center of its economic

activities and the basis of his soldiers. From the castle, the

lord administered justice , emanated laws and collected taxes, militarily controlled his territory and took refuge to

protect themselves in case of attack .

Structure

The first castles were quite simple , often consisting of a few houses, a large space surrounded by a wooden palisade. The

wooden palisades were replaced by stone walls, even 2-3 meters thick, more resistant to fire and attacks of the war machines. Often they were fitted with guard towers, from which the soldiers of the lord could defend themselves in

case of siege. The walls protected the keep and the inhabited nucleus , which included the building of the lord and his family, home and the homes of the soldiers , the chapel,

warehouses and common services. The keep was the heart of the medieval castle : it was the most impressive and durable

tower of the castle, within which the defenders retreated when the rest of the castle fell into enemy hands , and hosted

the banquet hall and rooms private gentleman.

Function

One of the fundamental purposes of a castle was to protect its occupants in the event of an attack, and that's

why they used various tricks, such as the moat with a drawbridge, loopholes from which archers could aim at the enemies without being hit, inputs protected by iron gates. Almost all the castles were also fitted with a well, essential supply of water in case of siege. Dating back, with the introduction of guns and firearms, the castle began to lose the dual function of strength and stately home. Many medieval castles were thus abandoned,

replaced by strong or used for other purposes, and the term "castle" came to denote the luxurious country

houses of the gentry.

In the tenth century with the arrival of the Hungarians, the Abbot of Leno strengthens the core town and the Abbey building a structure that becomes a

visual symbol of the power of Dominus : Castrum . In the tenth and in the eleventh century, rises the market ,the district habitatores converge towards the castellum because , in addition to housing facilities , craft activities and those for the preservation of the products of the earth ,. Everything takes place under the control of the Monastery that is a guarantee of growth ,

security and defense policy in a period of great uncertainty.

The invisible Leno castle

Leno castle was located in the town center (via Castello)

was a medieval castle. It was a castle - fortress ,

surrounded by a moat. The inhabitants during the invasions or in times of

danger took refuge inside the castle.

In 1600 the City of Leno , for lack of necessary funds for the renovation of the castle

and the monastery , it alloud the population to use the

stones to build houses and the remains. Today the castle remains are not visible but

the town planning was influence by its presence,

even though the center of the town is modeled structurally

the plant.