Rocca di Sanvitale, Fontanellato

A moated fortress with Parmigianino's frescoes, furnished rooms, and an optical chamber, blending strength and elegance in a historic courtly setting.

Rocca di Sanvitale at Fontanellato is a moated fortress whose history stretches back to the 13th century, though much of what visitors see reflects later domestic adaptation. The highlight is Parmigianino’s fresco cycle of Diana and Actaeon, painted in 1524 for the family apartments. Furnished rooms and the optical chamber reveal a cultivated courtly environment within what began as a defensive structure. The castle offers a rewarding contrast between strength and elegance.