Reggio Emilia

Fortress of the Boiardo Family (Rocca dei Boiardo)

Edited by

Davide Mangolini

Fortifications

Other denominations

Rocca dei Bojardi e pertinenze/ Rocca dei Boiardo/ Rocca

D'Este's People

Niccolò III

Artists / Humanists

Giovan Battista Aleotti

Description

The complex building history of the Scandiano Fortress  is traditionally linked to the noble Boiardi family who converted the fortress into a princely residence in the 15th and 16th centuries. However, it is with the passage of the fortress to the Thiene family that it can be seen the striking signs of a grander architectural project implemented under the direction of Giovan Battista Aleotti.

Aleotti’s unfinished extension is a decisive feature of the current appearance of the complex. The configuration of the fortress, initially centred around the inner courtyard, seems to expand along the southern side with a splendid façade punctuated by panels with large windows surmounted by triangular and circular tympanums, while a monumental portal opens in an off-centre position onto a bridge. The theme of the façade is repeated along the sides of the quadrangular north-western tower, set on a scarp base like the rest of the southern side, but surmounted by a protruding crowning that evokes the original forms of 14th-15th century corbels. The south-western corner, which includes the termination of the southern and eastern buildings and the corner tower, was only completed up to the level of the basement structures, testifying to a project of great ambition destined to remain unfinished.

Useful information

Address

Piazza Boiardo

Municipality

SCANDIANO

Province

Reggio Emilia

Other addresses

via della Rocca

Visitability of the place

Open to visits

Themes

Fortification

Website

https://turismo.comune.re.it/it/scandiano/scopri-il-territorio/arte-e-cultura/castelli-torri-campanili/rocca-dei-boiardo

Tourer

https://www.tourer.it/mappa?id=6563

Included in the itineraries