 The castle, which dates back to the fourteenth century, was the power-base of Gian Giacomo Medici (‘il Medeghino’), brother of Pope Pius IV, and variously known as “pirate, king, brigand, traitor, rebel, assassin and hero”.During the years 1522 to 1532 he acquired control over much of the lake and parts of Brianza.He was finally defeated by the combined forces of the Duke of Milan Francesco II Sforza, the Swiss Confederacy and the Grisons.