Partecipazione dell'I.I.S. Vincenzo Capirola al progetto didattico 2013-14 "Dall'archivio alla scuola, al territorio". Presentazione a cura di Sbardellati davide, insegnante Manuela Tebaldini

1. The Medieval
castle
Leno’s castle

2. 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 .

3. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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.