Castle of Varano de’ Melegari

The Pallavicino castle of Varano De’ Melegari rises on a sandstone in a strategic position to control the Ceno valley and it represents one of the best and most fascinating examples of of defense architecture. The fortress was very different when it was built in the 11th century, the castle has been modified during the 13th and 14th centuries by adding some elements as the fortified tower and the elegant hall.

The first documents testifying the existence of the castle refer to the “Cronaca Pallavicino” dated 1087, the year when Uberto, nephew of Adalberto, inherited the building. The Pallavicino family from the Parma and Piacenza territories had control of the main transport routes between Tuscany, Emilia and Liguria regions for many centuries, through a wide network of towers, castles and fortresses. The castles changed owners along the years, passing from a powerful family to another one, as the Visconti and the Farnese, Dukes of Parma and Piacenza. In 1828 was took off by the family Grossardi, famous for their Carbonari society activities and at the beginning of the 20th century the Levacher family. Since 2001, the castle has been property of the Municipality of Varano De’ Melegari.

The visit:
Inner courtyard, halls at the First floor, Main hall and Staircase, ramparts and towers, Bentivoglio’s prison, kitchens. The tour is about 45 minutes long.

The Varano castle has a company of animators (Associazione Oltre Lo Specchio – www.oltrelospecchio.com) available to organize themed weddings (for example medieval) or to entertain kids.
For details check the section Scuole on the website web www.castellodivarano.it

It is also possible to rent the castle for a wedding, a meeting or for a company’s team buildings.

The castle is pet friendly. It is possible to enter with any pet, properly on a leash or in a carrier or held in arms, provided that is not a danger for others and not disturbing the guided tours.