Montecchio Emilia Castle (Castello di Montecchio Emilia)

The fortunes of the castle of Montecchio were only closely linked to those of the Este family from the 15th century, but a primitive fortified nucleus was already attested here at the time of Matilde di Canossa.

However, the current appearance of the complex seems to date back to the 15th century or the last quarter of the previous century. The structures are characterised by the use of brick, with the exception of some stone insertions in the main tower. The castle architecture that makes up the square of the fortress appears clearly legible along the external sides facing east and south, while the other two sides are concealed by civic buildings and the portico of the square, built in later times.

The keep seems to have been the focal point of the entire complex: it is a quadrangular tower that features two unusual overlapping sequences of blind arcades in the lower part of the northern side, suggesting the reuse of a pre-existing structure probably of a religious nature. The crowning, with its jutting structure and battlements, appears to date from the 15th century, and unites the summit aspect of the keep with that of the north-west corner tower and that of the western and southern curtain walls.