Cles Castle stands on the top of a hill overlooking the town of Cles in the Val di Non, facing Lake Santa Giustina. Its strategic position once served to control the wooden bridge of Romanesque origin that connected Cles to Alta Anaunia, today submerged beneath the waters of the lake. Now a private residence, the castle can only be admired from the outside, except during a few cultural events held in summer.
The first records of Cles Castle date back to the 12th century, when the ancient keep was erected.
It was under Prince-Bishop Bernardo Clesio—an eminent humanist who promoted the construction of numerous churches, castles and palaces—that the building was expanded and redesigned according to Renaissance principles.
Throughout its history, Cles Castle suffered several damages, including those caused in the early 16th century during the so‑called “Peasants’ Revolt”. However, the most devastating event occurred in 1825, when a terrible fire destroyed part of its precious decorations and one of its towers. Today, what remains is the residential complex flanked by the two surviving towers.
Inside the castle are rooms of remarkable beauty, such as the “Saletta delle Metamorfosi”, whose frescoes—attributed to the court painter Marcello Fogolino—depict episodes from Ovid’s Metamorphoses, and the large main hall with its coffered ceiling.
Still owned by the Barons of Cles, the castle remains closed to the public, except for occasional cultural evenings during the summer.
