Castle of Costamezzana

The Castle of Costamezzana is a medieval fortress near Noceto in the province of Parma, featuring a square-shaped central tower, a circular tower, and sections of defensive walls positioned on elevated ground. The buildings spread across the hilltop in the characteristic layout of a defensive stronghold from that era.

Emperor Frederick II granted the fortress to nobleman Oberto II Pallavicino in 1249, after which it passed through the hands of multiple noble families over the following centuries. These shifts in ownership shaped how the structure developed and was used.

The Chapel of San Pietro Apostolo sits within the castle grounds and served as a sacred space where local residents gathered for worship during medieval times. It shows how deeply faith was woven into daily life.

The castle is located at Via Castello in Costamezzana, a district of Noceto in the province of Parma, accessible from the town center. Its hilltop position offers good views of the surrounding countryside.

The original military fortress was gradually transformed with the addition of agricultural buildings, moving away from its purely defensive role. This shift shows how such strongholds eventually became centers of rural life when warfare declined.