Castellarano Fortress (Rocca di Castellarano)

Castellarano, located on a hilltop, took shape during the late medieval centuries as a fortified village structured around two defensive nuclei from different eras. At the summit of the settlement is the castle complex, consisting of a longitudinal building and a quadrangular tower. At the eastern apex of the village stands the fortress: a military structure built largely in brick, probably dating back to the 15th century and later adapted as a noble residence.

The stronghold comprises several buildings that form an irregular perimeter enclosing an inner courtyard, with two openings to the outside and one opening towards the village, in the direction of the castle. Particularly interesting is the external north-eastern side, punctuated by two corner towers and featuring a sequence of corbels along the entire perimeter that support a gallery with lowered arches above the curtain wall. At the north-eastern end is an ancient quadrangular gate-tower with slits to house the bolzoni (protruding-arm winches) that controlled the drawbridge. At the other end, closing off the easternmost apex of the complex, is a polygonal tower featuring a wide scarp base that extends into the area previously occupied by the castle ditch.