Castello Malvasia, castello nel comune italiano di Castelfranco Emilia (MO)
Castello Malvasia is a large stone castle in Castelfranco Emilia, surrounded by quiet fields and crossed by an irrigation canal. The estate has two tall towers, courtyards, old barns, and remains of ancient walls with visible family emblems.
The castle dates from the Middle Ages and was long a border stronghold between Bologna and Modena before Bologna took control in the 1300s. In 1496, the Malvasia family bought the estate and lived here for nearly 400 years, modernizing it in the 1600s with an observatory and new living spaces.
The name Malvasia comes from the family who owned and shaped the castle for nearly 400 years. Today, visitors can see how the family decorated their rooms with paintings from the 1600s and built a small chapel with family portraits, showing how wealthy residents lived here.
The estate is located near Nino Bixio Street in the village of Panzano and can be explored on foot. Nearby in the village are small cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy local food and hear stories about the area.
Cornelio Malvasia built an observatory in the central tower around 1650, where the famous astronomer Gian Domenico Cassini observed the stars. Today, the estate displays a collection of vintage cars, blending the property's historical past with its modern owners' interests.
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