Siege of Asola (1483)

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The siege of Asola took place from 27 September to 12 October 1483 during the War of Ferrara, when the Republic of Venice fought the League of Ferrara (Ferrara, the Papal States, Milan, and Naples). The war was about borders and control of salt-producing lands, with Venice aiming to expand at the expense of Ferrara and the Pope.

The League’s forces moved from Lombardy toward Veneto in early September 1483, despite resistance from Federico I Gonzaga, the Marquis of Mantua, who seemed to have a non-belligerence pact with Venice to avoid invasion. Even Duke Gian Galeazzo Sforza of Milan did not approve and stayed near Cremona. The attackers, led by Alfonso of Aragon (Duke of Calabria) and Francesco Secco, approached Asola from Goito and Casaloldo, which had fallen to the Gonzaga.

Asola’s fortress used a moat, tall walls, and 14 cylindrical towers. The defenses were built by the Venetians between 1458 and 1482 but were not very strong against gunfire. The League brought six bombard cannons and opened large breaches in the walls. Asola fell on 12 October 1483, and Francesco Gonzaga, Federico’s son, entered the town with Secco; he had never fought in battle before.

Asola returned to Venice with the Peace of Bagnolo on 7 August 1484, soon after Federico Gonzaga’s death on 14 July. The town would endure another famous siege in 1516, but that attack was unsuccessful.