Castello di Varano de' Melegari

Via Rocca, 1 - 43040 Varano de' Melegari - Parma   see map - Contact
The Castle of Varano de 'Melegari is a stronghold erected in 1208 on a sandstone rock dominating the valley of Ceno; one of the best examples of defensive architecture is the current aspect of fifteenth-century interventions. It is available as a place to organize meetings, ceremonies and events in general with availability to rent the premises.

Castello di Varano de' Melegari History

Located on the bank of the river Ceno, the fortress of Varano has always had the strategic function of monitoring the roads that led to the Via Emilia, in Tuscany and in Liguria. The first historical reference to the Castello Varano de 'Melegari can be found in the Cronulla Pallavicina of 1087 where it is mentioned as a heritage inherited by Uberto Pallavicino, nephew of Adalberto.

Other documents dating back to 1208 speak of its construction on the pre-existing Roman castrum, although its current appearance is due to interventions occurred at the beginning of the fifteenth century, when it was made one of the most advanced examples of military architecture of the time, with adaptations of the old defensive schemes to new technological innovations such as artillery.

The castle remained the property of the Pallavicino family until the beginning of the 15th century, when Rolando Pallavicino was involved in the clash between families with Rossi and Terzi families to control the Via Emilia and strategic passages on the Po. Following these contrasts the castle was taken by Ottobono Terzi and delivered to the Visconti. In 1452 Rolando the Magnificent reconquered the fief and with it the castle that returns in possession of the Pallavicino family.

During the nineteenth century the castle passed into the hands of several owners, until in 2001 the Municipality of Varano Melegari bought the property that from 2013 entrusted the management to Lasse-Cooperativa Sociale.

The complex is different from the other defensive structures of the time: three of the four towers are aligned on the side facing the Ceno, while the keep is positioned on the north side looking towards the street. On the ground floor there was the jail communicating with the courtroom on the first floor, while on the second floor we find the bedroom of the castle and on the upper floor the room of the servants who also had granary functions.

Castello Varano de 'Melegari offers the possibility to rent out its own premises and to organize ceremonies, private parties and meetings in its structures, both inside and gardens.

Castello di Varano de' Melegari

Time period
  • Middle Ages
Where
  • Italy, Parma
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Castello di Varano de' Melegari
  Via Rocca, 1 - 43040 Varano de' Melegari
  +39 0525 400021
  www.castellodivarano.it

Castello di Varano de' Melegari
Offered services

Location for Ceremonies and Conferences Location for Ceremonies and Conferences
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