Castle of Castrignano, Medieval castle ruins in Langhirano, Italy
The Castle of Castrignano is a ruin on a hilltop next to the Annunciation Church, with surviving stone walls and the base of a tower still visible. The remaining sections allow visitors to understand the layout of a medieval fortress, even though much of the original structure has disappeared.
Documents first mention the castle in the late 10th century, when it stood near a Lombard settlement. The German Emperor Henry V formally recognized it in 1137, establishing its importance in the region.
The ruins represent how power was displayed in the medieval landscape, rising above the village for all to see. The nearby Annunciation Church shows how sacred and military buildings coexisted as part of the same community.
The ruins can be reached through the church grounds and are partly integrated into the cemetery area, making them accessible during a visit to the site. Expect uneven terrain since this is an old hillside fortification with areas that have not been fully stabilized.
The fortress gained its most notable recognition in 1186 when Emperor Frederick Barbarossa granted it to the Bishop of Parma as thanks for attending his son's wedding. This connection between a military stronghold and a princely bishop's gift reveals how power networks operated in the medieval world.
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