Rocca Meli Lupi

About the museum

The Rocca was built in 1385 by the marquises Bonifacio and Antonio Lupi, who in 1347 had received the feudal investiture of the territory from Charles IV. The first fortress had a square plan with four corner towers; the outer wall was completed in 1392. As the lordships consolidated, the fortress gradually became a comfortable palace, with major rebuilding in the 16th century, while in the following century it became the sumptuous princely residence that it still preserves today.

Further changes date from the 18th and 19th centuries, the work respectively of Angelo Rasori and Antonio Tomba. The Rocca has always remained the property of the Meli Lupi family, who still live there: in 1709 the Emperor Joseph I raised the marquisate to a principality of the Holy Roman Empire.

The interior is rich in frescoes and furnishings: the Sala delle Grottesche (Room of Grotesques), decorated by Cesare Baglione in the 16th century; the Sala Gialla (Yellow Room), with frescoes linked to Nicolò dell'Abate; the grand staircase with a balustrade of red Verona marble; the Grande Galleria frescoed by the Bibiena in 1696; and the Sala del Bocchirale with a 17th-century French tapestry. Behind the castle extends the garden, transformed into an English-style park in 1833 to a design by Luigi Voghera, with a small lake, the Isola dell'Amore and monumental trees.

Highlights

• Sala delle Grottesche frescoed by Cesare Baglione
• Grand staircase with red Verona marble balustrade
• Grande Galleria frescoed by the Bibiena (1696)
• Sala del Bocchirale with 17th-century French tapestry
• English-style park with small lake and Isola dell'Amore

Permanent exhibition

• Saloni storici e arredi dei principi Meli Lupi – Guided tour of the castle apartments with frescoes, Baroque furnishings, tapestries and family portraits.

Operated by

Famiglia dei principi Meli Lupi di Soragna

Visitors per year

approx. 15,900

Admission & discounts

Prices for the Rocca only; the combined ticket with the park costs more (see additional tickets). Online purchase through the Be Culture ticketing platform.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The website only indicates free admission for people with disabilities and one companion; it gives no further information on accessibility.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Special themed visits for children aged 5 to 11, accompanied by at least one adult, are held with mandatory booking (for example for Halloween). A family ticket also exists.

Getting there & parking

By car: A1 motorway, exit Fidenza-Salsomaggiore. Soragna is about 27 km from Parma.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

The rooms and garden host wedding receptions, banquets, conferences, gala dinners, concerts, theatre performances, photo shoots and film sets; a catering service is available.

Plan your visit