15 stunning medieval castles in Emilia Romagna

Italian history can be traced in the countless beautiful monuments and buildings that punctuate it, and the Middle Ages, in particular, have left us with important charming evidences, the castles.

Nowadays, these magnificent and massive structures have become key centers of our tourism and at a mere glance transport us to a time that no longer exists, made up of kings, noblemen, ladies and knights. Today we travel through time to discover the most beautiful medieval castles in Emilia Romagna. 

Apart from villages and civil buildings, among the scenic beauties of our country we cannot omit the medieval castles and fortresses, vestiges of a time when defense from external attacks and strategy were crucial.

The evidence of a complex yet far from obscure era reflects a desire for representation, power and sumptuousness by the great noble families; Romagna, for example, boasts evocative fortifications on its hilltops, most created by the Malatestas (1200-1500), while in Emilia, especially between Parma and Piacenza, we find fortifications wanted by the Visconti, Farnese and Contrari families.

Nowadays, castles represent must-see stops for tourists who wish to admire in their own eyes the evolution of our beautiful country from the Middle Ages to the present. But also for those who, experiencing the unquestioned charm of these buildings, wish to relive a fairy-tale scenario, full of heroism and magic. 

Here are, in our opinion, the 15 medieval castles in Emilia Romagna you should absolutely visit for an adventurous immersion in the ancient pas

The magnificent Fortress of St. Leo dominates the small village of the same name in the province of Rimini, a must-see among medieval castles in Emilia Romagna for history buffs.

In addition to the charm that only an impregnable stronghold can have, the building houses interesting exhibits and collections, from 16th-century weapons expositions to ancient torture instruments, from World Wars artifacts to Vasari's reproductions.

And speaking of guests, San Leo also had a notable one: the wizard and alchemist Giuseppe Balsamo, Count of Cagliostro. This mysterious figure ended his existence here as a prisoner, pardoned from the death penalty for heresy in 1790 by Pope Pius VI. A special cell, the pozzetto cell, also known as the "cagliostrina," was built especially for him.

  Let's move to Emilia, precisely to the province of Parma, to Langhirano. 

Langhirano is a charming and picturesque village, surrounded by vineyards and dominated by the splendid Torrechiara Castle, in the ancient suburb of the same name, which is part of the Castelli del Ducato circuit.

The castle was built in the 15th century at the behest of Count Pier Maria Rossi of Berceto, not only for defensive purposes but also to honor his beloved Bianca Pellegrini d'Arluno. The uniqueness of this imposing edifice lies in its structure: the design, supervised by the count, represents an ideal bridge between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance styles, and requires the ramparts and walls to have proportions relatable to musical consonances, recalling an exquisitely Renaissance tendency, inspired by Pythagorean-Platonic geometry.

The overwhelming fairy-tale beauty of the castle also captured Hollywood, for in 1985 it was one of the locations for the movie Ladyhawke.

Not forget to visit Parma❯

Let's stay in Parma, in Montechiarugolo, to admire the beautiful castle of the Torelli family.
Located on the banks of the Enza River between Parma and Reggio Emilia, it was born as a symbol of the power of Guido Torelli, a commander of the Visconti family, who was entrusted with the Montechiarugolo Feud in 1406.
Fortress of the Torelli family domain, this splendid architectural gem features imposing well-preserved walls and an inner courtyard with beautiful gardens, while inside you can see beautiful rooms with frescoed ceilings recounting the exploits of its ancient tenants.
But even this impressive example among the medieval castles in Emilia Romagna has its dark side: it is said that the ghost of the charming Fata Bema, a fortune teller who seduced the Duke of Parma, Ranuccio Farnese, and the young Pio Torelli, still haunts it and that she still appears to future brides in order to provide advice on their marriage. And perhaps because of this beneficial influence many couples decide to solemnize their love in this magic and romantic place.

A symbol of the Visconti family's power, the Rocca Viscontea awaits you in Castell'Arquato, one of Italy's most beautiful villages, located in the province of Piacenza.

Built in 1342 on a hilltop, in a perfectly dominating position, the fortress was formerly a Roman military settlement; it was completed a few years later by Luchino Visconti, lord of Milan, who wanted a place to watch over the valley and effectively protect himself from enemy attacks. In the lower band of the walls, the soldiers were located and the castellans took refuge, while the higher band housed the garrison headquarters.

Moreover, this castle was a part of the set for the movie Ladyhawke as well.

The Rocca di Vignola (Vignola Fortress), a town in the province of Modena, is the oldest example of a medieval castle in Emilia Romagna among those mentioned so far, since according to the surviving evidences it seems to date back to the 8th century, at the time of the barbarian invasions and probably after the end of the Carolingian dynasty.

Thus designed for defensive purposes, the fortress stands on a hill and overlooks the Panaro River. It is on two floors, with walkways and towers on the surface and underground, all available for visits; each section of the castle is the result of a series of different phases of construction, witnessing the presence of its inhabitants, particularly the noble Grassoni and Contrari families. The two splendid halls are dedicated to them, inside which you can easily imagine banquets and balls in courtly style. Finally, you cannot miss the Uguccione Chapel on the second floor, the beautiful little private church commissioned by the Lord of the Contrari, which has magnificent frescoes on the ceiling. 

The last stop on our tour of medieval castles in Emilia Romagna could only be in Grazzano Visconti, in the province of Piacenza, a place that seems to be crystallized in the mists of time.

In this picturesque ancient village - home to many events, festivals and historical reconstructions - there are numerous buildings of great architectural charm and, of course, the splendid and imposing castle, whose construction dates back to 1395 at the behest of Gian Galeazzo Visconti, who gave it to his sister Beatrice for her marriage to a nobleman from Piacenza, Giovanni Anguissola.

The splendor we enjoy today, however, is due to the numerous restorations ordered by one of the family's descendants, Giuseppe, who in the early twentieth century brought it back to the ancient splendor of the Middle Ages, making it a revivalist-style city, far away from progress and metropolitan chaos.

And here, again, we could not miss the ever-present ghost! It seems that in the castle of Grazzano Visconti still hovers the young Aloisa, wife of a captain who had died in grief at the abandonment of her husband, who apparently told her sad story to Giuseppe himself (who was said to be a medium).  

These are just some of the stunning medieval castles in Emilia Romagna, which has a very high number of examples spread throughout the territory.

These 15 stages, however, can be a crucial starting point if you want to begin your discovery of the region from a historical perspective and learn more about its architectural repertoire belonging to a mythical era, that enriched our country with charm and wonder.