Castle of the Picchi in Montecrestese

The castle of the Picchi (according to local tradition they were a gang of brigands who lived in the 16th and 17th centuries), located in Veglio, a charming hamlet of Montecrestese, has an older part, probably dating from the 13th century, and a more recent 15th century part, subsequently altered in later centuries. From the 17th century it does not seem to have been inhabited and this is certainly the reason for its present state of ruin.
The oldest tower, inside a walled enclosure, was the first defence and was part of the impressive system of fortifications that dotted the whole Ossola Valley. Over the following centuries various constructions were added: the most important was built against the south corner of the oldest tower in the shape of a fortified house.
It is not known with certainty who built the castle of the Picchi in Veglio: perhaps the descendants of the De Rodis and Baceno families, who lived in the castle at Pontemaglio (located in a position that was difficult to defend), had the hideout in Veglio built because it was easy to reach in the event of an emergency.
Today, while appearing to visitors in not optimal conditions, the castle is part of the old village of Veglio, which, on the contrary, is being revived with major work to redevelop traditional architecture.