The Counts of Biandrate were the first to build a fortress in the hills, known as Castellaccio, where there is also the small Parish Church di San Silvestro – originally built in the 15th century and reworked in the Baroque style – as well as the remains of the surrounding wall and tower. The 15th century castle with large circular towers and a pinnacle, property of the Caccia family and then of the Cattaneo di Cavaglietto, was the first defensive bulwark on the road from Novara up towards Valsesia. Destroyed during the war between the Visconti of Milan and the Marchese of Monferrato, the manor fell under control of the Caccia of Mandello Vitta and finally under the Cattaneo of Cavaglietto who held onto it until the beginning of the 19th century.
