Castello di Montechiarugolo

About the museum

The castle of Montechiarugolo was built in the 12th century, around 1121, on the initiative of the Sanvitale family as a stronghold defending the Enza valley. In 1313 it was destroyed after the rebellion of Giovannino Sanvitale and, after 1348, rebuilt under the Visconti. In 1406 the fief passed to Guido Torelli, who began a new reconstruction; the family obtained the title of counts in 1428.

In the 16th century Pomponio Torelli transformed the fortress into a noble residence, with the noble apartment decorated with frescoes from the late Gothic to Mannerism. The Torelli county ended in 1612 with the conviction of Pio Torelli. In 1796 the castle was the scene of the battle of Montechiarugolo; in 1864 it was sold to Antonio Marchi, and the Marchi family still owns it. During the Second World War part of the building housed a civilian internment camp (1940–1943).

Restored, the castle has been open to the public since the early 2000s. The route includes the representative apartment with the Salone delle feste (Hall of Festivities), the Camera di Mezzo, the Camera delle Sirene (Room of the Sirens) and the Camera dei Gatti (Room of the Cats), the 15th-century loggia overlooking the Enza, the camera picta of the Baglione and the walkway along the ramparts. In the wide courtyard of honour you can see drawbridges, cannonballs and 18th-century statues.

Highlights

• Noble apartment with the Salone delle feste and the Camera delle Sirene
• 15th-century frescoed loggia overlooking the Enza stream
• Camera picta of the Baglione
• Patrol walkway along the ramparts
• Courtyard of honour with gardens, rose beds and 18th-century statues

Permanent exhibition

• Percorso di visita del castello – Noble apartment with frescoed rooms, 15th-century loggia, the camera picta of the Baglione and the walkway along the ramparts.

Operated by

Famiglia Marchi (proprietà privata)

Visitors per year

approx. 6,000

Admission & discounts

The ticket includes the guided tour of about 75 minutes and is bought at the castle entrance.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

For schools and groups of children and young people, the castle offers entertainment and medieval games organised by outside companies, which can be combined with the guided tour.

Getting there & parking

The castle is at Piazza Mazzini 1 in Montechiarugolo, about 20 km from Parma and Reggio Emilia.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit