Rocca Viscontea – Museo di vita medievale

About the museum

The Rocca Viscontea closes the south-eastern side of the monumental square of Castell'Arquato. It was built on the initiative of Luchino Visconti, lord of Piacenza: work began in 1342 and was completed around 1347, on the site of a Roman military settlement, the Castrum Quadratum, from which the name of the village derives. The walls of brick and stone form an “L”-shaped plan on two levels: a wider lower part, the piazza d'armi (parade ground), and an upper part reserved for the command of the garrison, dominated by the keep (mastio), about 40 metres high.

The fortress was always a military stronghold and never became a noble residence. In the following centuries it was used above all as a prison, a function maintained until the 1960s, before it was restored as a historic site. In 1985 many scenes of the film “Ladyhawke” were shot here.

Today the interior houses the Museo di vita medievale, with displays on military life in the Middle Ages. Inside the keep, rooms have been reconstructed, such as the prison, the garrison hall with armour and the tavern, and a multimedia display recreates the interiors of the fortress. Other rooms cover relations with neighbouring castles, the towers and loopholes, and sieges. The route allows visitors to climb to the panoramic terrace at the top of the tower.

Highlights

• Keep about 40 metres high with a panoramic terrace
• Reconstructed rooms: prison, garrison hall, tavern
• Multimedia display on the interiors of the fortress in the Middle Ages
• Rooms on sieges and the defence of the territory

Permanent exhibition

• Museo di vita medievale – Displays in the keep on military life in the Middle Ages, with reconstructed rooms, multimedia videos and rooms on sieges.

Operated by

Comune di Castell'Arquato

Visitors per year

approx. 28,683

Admission & discounts

Tickets are available on site at the fortress ticket office; guided tours must be booked online.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

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Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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