HISTORICAL RESIDENCE FROM THE 1200s IN THE PROVINCE OF CUNEO, NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE EVENTS AND WEDDINGS

CASTLE OF SOLARO: WEDDING VENUE IN THE LANGHE REGION

The Castle of Solaro, located 40 km from Turin, is a historical residence dating back to the 1200s, built by the noble Princes of Acaja as a military outpost against the powerful Marquisate of Saluzzo. Today, the Castle serves as an elegant venue for private events and weddings in the province of Cuneo. More than 2,500 weddings have been held here over the course of over 20 years.

The location offers multiple spaces both indoors and outside, making the ancient manor perfect for every kind of personalised requirement. The interior features five different reception rooms, ranging from the intimate ‘Sala Rosa’ pink room which has a maximum capacity of 50 guests to the ‘Corte degli Acaja’ hall, which can accommodate almost 400 people.

The Castle is essentially comprised of two primary sections: 'La Dimora' and 'Le Scuderie’. Within the main residential 'La Dimora' area is the 'Sala Filippo d'Acaja’. This reception room is frescoed with 18th-century paintings in shades of blue and features a coffered ceiling crafted from national walnut wood dating back to the 1400s. It is often utilised during the winter months or inclement weather for serving welcoming cocktails. 'La Corte degli Acaja' within the Castle's courtyard is a popular choice for hosting wedding parties. It offers a grand view of the park through its expansive glass wall, spanning 20 metres in width and 6 metres in height.

The former stables, known as 'Le Scuderie’, now house the 'Sala Silvio Pellico’. This room is named after the distinguished guest who once resided at the Castle and showcases coffered ceilings made of national walnut wood from the 1400s. 'La Scuderia' is a barrel-vaulted hall featuring suggestive LED lighting, accommodating up to 160 guests.

Furthermore, for the most discerning clients, the option of exclusive use of the entire Castle for a day is available, providing a royal experience.

All solutions include a ‘Plan B’ on the second floor in the event of weather conditions making it impossible to use the park space.

The 15,000 square-metre park is adorned with flower beds, fountains, statues and enchanting LED night-time lighting. It is possible to hold a legally binding civil wedding ceremony here, followed by cocktails and the opportunity of taking wonderful wedding photos in a unique medieval castle setting, akin to a true fairy tale!

All catering is internally prepared on the premises, headed by our Chef Daniele Rivoira, who specialises in local dishes from our Langhe region in our kitchens, which have a 20-year track record of top-quality service. We are also happy to customise our menus to cater for any allergies, intolerances or specific dietary needs.

THE HISTORY OF CASTELLO DEI SOLARO

The precise date of the Castle's original construction remains uncertain, but historical records trace its existence back to a document from 1259, in which Oberto di Villanova pledged allegiance to Marquis Tommaso I of Saluzzo. What is known, however, is that in 1295, Filippo di Savoia, Prince of Acaja, received the Castle as a gift from his uncle, Amedeo V of Savoy. Its strategic significance as a defensive stronghold against the formidable Marquisate of Saluzzo quickly became evident. Between 1295 and 1299, the Castle underwent fortification measures, including the addition of protruding towers to enhance its defensive capabilities and the construction of a wide moat, which, with the help of men from Turin, took a year to dig.

Before Filippo d'Acaja's death in 1334, a deed was found in which it was ceded to the Marquis del Carretto and the Falletti family. In 1335, the latter acquired the missing portion for 3,000 gold florins. In 1362, it was sold for the sum of 21,000 gold florins to the Solaro family, a branch of the lords of Govone, one of the most powerful and wealthy families in Asti. They gave the current name to Villanova Solaro, where the Castle stands in the centre of the town. In 1505, Bartolomeo dei Solaro initiated work to make the castle more elegant. The last heiress was Countess Eufrasia, daughter of the Count of Villanova, Clemente Andrea, who had a daughter but who died at the age of 15 in 1835.

In 1832, Countess Eufrasia hosted Silvio Pellico, who, after his release from Spielberg prison, read the first chapters of his famous book "Le Mie Prigioni" (translated as ‘My Time in Prison’) to some of her friends. The Countess embellished the castle by demolishing the east wing of the manor and two of the four towers. Additionally, she expanded the park with a majestic lime tree-lined avenue and constructed the present masonry wall.

The Vitale family was the last private family to own the Castle. After the deaths of the two Vitale brothers, they left a will specifying that the complex should serve as a hospital for poor and chronically ill individuals born in the town and the surrounding area. In 1908, the San Vincenzo Ferreri hospital was inaugurated, but it ceased operations in 1927. It remained under the community's ownership until 1980 when it was shut down due to safety concerns.

In 1995, in agreement with the IPAB (Public Assistance and Charity Institute) institution, which had rights over the Castle, the Ronco family decided to transform it into a hospitality venue. After two years of renovation work, the Castello dei Solaro restaurant opened in 1997. In 2001, the property passed to the family’s eldest son, Danilo Ronco, and his wife, Loredana.

FACILITIES AND SERVICES: WEDDINGS AND PRIVATE EVENTS IN THE LANGHE REGION

Our in-house event planning service at Castello dei Solaro not only perfectly understands how to make the very best of our available spaces, but also brings over 20 years of experience in organising more than 2,500 fairy-tale weddings.

TYING THE KNOT IN A MEDIEVAL CASTLE IN PIEDMONT

The Castle of Solaro is the ideal solution for couples seeking an exclusive venue to celebrate their wedding in the Langhe region of Piedmont. You can arrange a legally binding civil wedding ceremony at this location, which can be presided over by the mayor or an appointed representative, with the option of holding the ceremony within the park or inside the historic halls. If you desire, you can make a grand entrance accompanied by white horses and plan additional features like fireworks displays, a confetti presentation table, coordinated centrepieces, and more. Rest assured, you will be in the very best hands, receiving guidance and assistance down to the finest details.