Rocca dei Bentivoglio, Medieval fortress in Valsamoggia, Italy.
The Rocca dei Bentivoglio is a fortress standing on a hill with four wings surrounding an internal courtyard and a prominent southern tower from its original structure. It now houses a Music Center, an Intermunicipal Media Library, and a Civic Museum containing collections ranging from prehistoric to modern times.
The fortress was built in 1250 as a military stronghold. In the 1400s it transformed into a noble residence when Giovanni II Bentivoglio received it as a gift.
The rooms inside feature impressive frescoes, particularly the Giants Room with armed figures and the Cheetah Room, both inspired by stories tied to the Bentivoglio family.
Plan to spend time exploring both the outer architecture and the decorated rooms inside. The site now serves multiple cultural purposes, so you may find different exhibitions and collections depending on your interests.
The walls display combined heraldic symbols of the Bentivoglio and Sforza families, marking the marriage between Giovanni Bentivoglio and Ginevra Sforza. These visual symbols tell the story of an important family alliance that was permanently recorded in the fortress itself.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.