Fontanellato, Fortified medieval town in Province of Parma, Italy
Fontanellato is a fortified town in the Province of Parma centered around a castle surrounded by a water-filled moat. The castle was modified over several centuries and contains multiple rooms, some decorated with historical frescoes and artistic elements.
The castle was constructed in 1475 as a residence and defensive structure for the Sanvitale family. The town developed around this fortress and became an important center in the Emilia-Romagna region for centuries.
The castle rooms feature painted walls depicting mythological scenes that show how Renaissance artists worked. These decorative schemes reflect the artistic tastes of the noble families who lived here.
The castle is open year-round with guided tours available in multiple languages through the local tourism office. The site is easily accessible and tours provide a good overview of the rooms and their features.
Inside the castle is a working optical system that projects real-time images of the town square onto an internal white surface. This historical projection technique demonstrates an early application of optical principles that predate modern technology.
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