Rivara is first mentioned in a patent signed by the Holy Roman Emperor Henry II in 1014.

The coat of arms of Rivara shows eleven hills and a comet accompanied by the Latin motto salubrior hisce montibus aer.

The reference to the salubrious mountain air is due to the village hilly location.

The New Castle underwent a lot of refurbishment work over the centuries until 1796, when the House of the Counts of Valperga-Rivara became extinct.

The castle acquired its current appearance when architect Alfredo d'Andrade modified its façade.