Zumelle Castle (Italy)

The earliest fortification on the site possibly existed as early as c. 46–47 AD, when the Romans consolidated their hold in Valbelluna, conquered in the 1st century BC. This fortification stood in a strategic position, controlling the road coming from the plain through the Praderadego, which has been identified as Via Claudia Augusta Altinatis - or more probably in one of its lateral branches.

During and after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the castle was the main stronghold of the area as it guarded the connections between Feltre and Ceneda. According to a legend, the ruined fortification was re-founded by Genserico (or Genserico), a faithful of Queen Amalasunta. . During the early Middle Ages the castle was the scene of feudal struggles starting from 737, when the Lombard king Liutprand appointed Valentino, bishop of Ceneda, lord of Zumelle. This caused a controversy with Giovanni, count-bishop of Belluno, who already governed these lands; the war ended in 750 after the intervention of the new king Astolfo. In 963 the emperor Otto I granted the county of Zumelle to the bishops of Belluno.

In 1037 the emperor Corrado II assigned it to his baron Abelfredo. The latter died without male heirs and the castle went to his daughter Adelheit, who married William of Colfosco. Their daughter Sofia in turn married Guecellone II da Camino, and since then the castle has been owned by the Caminesi family.

The castle was rebuilt in 1311 by Rizzardo IV da Camino, lord of Treviso, Belluno and Feltre, but after its conquest by the Republic of Venice it lost its importance. In 1501 it was sacked by imperial troops during the War of the League of Cambrai. Restored, it subsequently passed to the Zorzi and Gritti families and, after the fall of the Serenissima, to the Austrian Empire. In 1872 it was bought by the municipality of Mel, which is still the current owner.