Andraz Castle

 

ANDRAZ CASTLE
Andraz, Livinallongo del Col di Lana hamlet (BL)

The Castle of Andraz

 

Historical and architectural information: The castle of Andraz rises on a slightly levelled land near a cliff about thirty metres high in the North-Western area of the Province of Belluno. In this area, in ancient times, man probably found shelter from bad weather during his hunting and transhumance activities. Anyway, we are sure that the original structure already existed before AD 1000 in the form of a military fortification, and was later transformed (in feudal times) into a residence for noblemen. Several Lords came one after the other in the Col di Lana area, choosing this castle as a dwelling to protect themselves from continuous attacks for possession over jurisdictions. During World War I the area around the castle witnessed bitter fights and not far from the walls an Italian war cemetery rose.