Rocca dei Boiardo, Medieval castle in Scandiano, Italy
Rocca dei Boiardo is a fortress in Scandiano combining medieval towers, Renaissance arcades, and Baroque decorative elements across its structure. The building features grand staircases, ornate windows, and surrounding gardens that showcase layers of architectural evolution over centuries.
The fortress was built in 1315 by the Da Fogliano family as a defensive military structure protecting the territory. The Boiardo family acquired it in 1423 and transformed it into their noble residence for over a century.
The fortress served as home to poet Matteo Maria Boiardo, whose literary legacy shaped the cultural identity of the region during the Renaissance period. Walking through the rooms today, visitors can sense the intellectual and artistic atmosphere that once defined this noble household.
The fortress is open on weekends with guided tours leading visitors through the interior spaces and surrounding gardens. It is best to check ahead about tour availability since group sizes are limited and access varies by day.
The outer walls feature terracotta statues created in the early 17th century that represent members of a prominent local family. These sculptural decorations are a rare example of how nobility commissioned art to embellish their fortress exterior.
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