It was erected on the site of a previous fortification by Luchino Visconti in the 14th century after his family acquired Castell'Arquato.

[1][2] A fortress probably existed in Castell'Arquato already in the 8th century as a belonging of the bishop of Piacenza.

[3] Later, the Visconti returned to Castell'Arquato with Azzone, who built the town walls.

[3] The two enclosures have quadrangular towers at each corner, oriented along the four cardinal points.

The keep faces the Castell'Arquato civic square, surrounded on two different sides by the apses of the romanesque collegiate and the Palazzo del Podestà.