I castelli

In the past, Ascona had four castles, located on the surrounding heights to defend and control navigation on the upper Verbano and connected by underground passages: S. Michele, S. Materno, dei Grillioni (or Ghiriglioni), dei Carcani. Of some of them, ruins or parts are still visible, incorporated into later constructions.
The castle of S. Michele, near the church of the same name, on a cliff, was given as a feud to the Duni family by the bishops of Como in the 12th-13th centuries. By the 17th century, only two towers and a small church survived, on which the present oratory was built. Virtually nothing remains of the building.
The castle of S. Materno, also of early medieval origin, is evidenced by a few remains near the oratory of the same name.
The Ghiriglioni Castle on the lakeside probably dates back to the 13th century and was the residence of a noble Milanese family. Partially destroyed in 1513, the remains are now incorporated in the construction of the Albergo Castello and nearby houses; two towers and part of the walls are visible. Following Via Ghiriglioni, next to the hotel, we reach two ancient gates that were part of the city walls.
No trace remains of the Carcani castle, which stood in the centre of the village.