The castle was commissioned by Gaetano Bonoris, a wealthy banker, and is inspired by the most famous examples of medieval architecture in Piedmont and the Aosta Valley.
It was built between 1891 and 1901 on pre-existing medieval ruins.
The castle stands on the hill of San Pancrazio, dominating the historic center of Montichiari.
On the outside, the castle has crenellated towers and walls built with great attention to detail and a drawbridge.
Inside, the richness of the materials stands out with fresco decorations and furnishings made by the best artists of the time.
The atrium leads to an inner courtyard with a grey stone staircase that splits in two surmounted by the painting of St. George on horseback.
Inside, on the ground floor, it is possible to visit a small armoury, the dining room with frescoed walls with mythological themes and the count’s coat of arms and the fully decorated chapel.
On the first floor are the Count’s private rooms with his bedroom and study.
Also, on the first floor there is a room entirely decorated in silver with the inscription FERT (motto of the Savoy royal family) dedicated to King Umberto I who was unable to see the finished room due to his assassination in Monza.
During the Second World War, the Bonoris Castle was occupied by German troops who erased all the inscriptions in French in the frescoes.
In 1996 the Castle was acquired by the Municipality of Montichiari.
