Rocca dei Rossi, Medieval castle in San Secondo Parmense, Italy
Rocca dei Rossi is a castle built on elevated ground with thick walls, towers, and a large courtyard showing Renaissance architectural details. Inside are richly decorated rooms with wall paintings, including a hall telling the story of the Rossi family and a gallery featuring scenes from fables.
The castle was built in 1450 by the Rossi family as a fortress to protect their lands. In the 16th century, the family transformed it into an elegant aristocratic residence and decorated it with elaborate artworks.
The frescoes inside tell stories of the Rossi family and their history through paintings on the walls. Visitors can see how the people who lived here wanted to show their life and power to others.
Visitors can explore the castle on guided tours offered throughout the year. It is helpful to check ahead of time, as opening hours may vary depending on the season.
One of the galleries contains frescoes depicting fables, and hidden within these artworks is the face of a prominent historical figure from the Renaissance period. This detail is easy to miss unless someone points it out during a visit.
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