Castello di Dinazzano

Castello di Dinazzano is a medieval castle perched on a hilltop near Casalgrande, overlooking the plains between Modena and Reggio Emilia provinces. It features a distinctive brick tower with Ghibelline-style crenellations, a crenellation pattern typical of medieval fortifications built for families loyal to German emperors.

The castle's origins date to 1184, when local nobles transferred sections of the structure to Reggio's municipality as part of a fortification expansion. This transfer marked a shift in control and reflected changing alliances among ruling families in the region.

The fortification served as a territorial marker between competing noble families who shaped the region's political landscape. Today, visitors can observe how its position relates to other castles scattered across the hills, revealing the network that once defined medieval power in the area.

The site is best explored on foot, as the castle sits on elevated terrain that can be viewed from the surrounding area. Wear sturdy footwear since the approach to the hilltop may be uneven and the surrounding landscape is better appreciated at walking pace.

The castle functioned as a control point for monitoring trade routes and waterway traffic rather than as a primary residence. The Secchia river was crucial to its importance, as every merchant caravan and barge using the route would pass within its line of sight.