The legend tells that the castle was built around 540 a.m. by the Goth Genseric, on the ruins of another manor that previously existed: Genseric was a mysterious character and a trusted man of Amalasuntha, queen of the Ostrogoths, and after the tragic death of the sovereign, who was killed on an island in Lake Bolsena by assassins sent by her husband Theodato, Genseric fled to the north with Eudosia, a lady-in-waiting; whom he married and with whom he settled in the territory of Mel.
Here he rebuilt a "castle", obtaining from the new Ostrogoth sovereign, Vitige, the title of comes "count" and full jurisdiction over the territory: "from morning the water of the Ardo, at noon the peaks of mountains, in the evening a water called Rivo Bianco, to the north the river Anaxo, now called Piave".
The family crest was represented according to Bonifacio by a sphere of gold on a turquoise field, topped by two embraced twins, in memory of the happiness that graced Genseric's new home, with the birth of twin sons, Iusprando and Goffredo. The castle of Zumelle takes its name from this legend: 'castrum zumellarum' - castle of the twins.
The Ecomuseum of Zumelle, in the municipality of Borgo Valbelluna (BL): a treasure trove of history, landscape, and community memory. A project for the enhancement of the Belluno area.
It extends over approximately 15 hectares coinciding with the Castle Park.
It includes the castle with the central core, the historic medieval walls and the 36-meter-high tower, the ancient church of San Lorenzo on the north side of the walls, and the Cesa mill (soon to undergo a redevelopment intervention).
In the shadow of the tower is a real medieval village that, during some events, becomes animated with musicians, jesters, and ancient trades.
You can visit the tower house, the scriptorium, the military storage, the ancient crypt, the "arts and crafts" hall, and the botanical forestry garden.
Many activities are proposed, including guided tours and educational activities for schools and families.
