Rocca Sforzesca

About the museum

The Rocca Sforzesca was built by the municipality of Imola in 1261 as a city defence, in a period of conflict between Guelphs and Ghibellines. In the second half of the 15th century, under the Sforza and Riario families, it was strengthened with round towers suited to artillery. In 1499 it was besieged by Cesare Borgia, and in 1502 Niccolò Machiavelli and Leonardo da Vinci arrived there. After Imola returned to the Papal States, the fortress was used as a prison until 1958, when restoration work began and the rocca was turned into a museum.

The route comprises an introductory room with a three-dimensional reconstruction of the history of the rocca, in Italian and English, the arms collection and the ceramics collection. The arms collection numbers about 600 items, including edged weapons, armour and firearms; most of it was bought from a private collector in the sixties, when the rocca was being set up as a museum. Pole weapons are displayed on racks along the walls, the artillery is housed in the cellars, the great hall holds a late-16th-century suit of armour, and the Captain’s apartment has swords, crossbows, Eastern weapons and two pistols signed by Cassiano Zanotti and dated 1804.

The ceramics collection, by contrast, comprises materials found in the rocca during the restoration work that began in 1960, dating from the 14th to the 19th century, including a set of eighteen sgraffito plates and the “Brocca degli Alidosi” (Alidosi jug), bearing the family’s heraldic eagle. A free video guide with five short films, viewable on a smartphone via QR codes, accompanies the visit.

Highlights

• Fortress of 1261, strengthened by the Sforza and Riario families
• Arms collection of around 600 pieces
• Set of eighteen sgraffito plates and the Alidosi jug
• Captain’s apartment with Eastern weapons and pistols from 1804
• Video guide “Leonardo da Vinci ti accompagna tra le mura della Rocca” (Leonardo da Vinci takes you through the walls of the Rocca)

Permanent exhibitions

• Collezione d'armi – About 600 items including edged weapons, armour and firearms, with pole weapons displayed on racks and artillery in the cellars.
• Collezione di ceramiche – Ceramics from the 14th to the 19th century found in the rocca during restoration, including the Alidosi jug.

Operated by

Comune di Imola

Visitors per year

approx. 13,411

Admission & discounts

Categories entitled to reduced or free admission are listed in the “Visita” section of the Musei di Imola website.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• 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 rocca is only partly accessible to people with disabilities; with one week’s notice, a motorised service can be booked to overcome architectural barriers.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Spaces for workshops and educational activities for schools of all levels and for families.

Getting there & parking

By car from the A14 motorway, Imola exit, about 4 km to the centre. Radio taxi available 24 hours a day (24-hour service; +39 0542 28122, +39 0542 29746).

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Bookshop with publications, catalogues, books, reproductions, stationery and gifts.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit