Fortified village of Castellarano

Address and contacts

Town center - 42014 Castellarano
0039 0536 850114 - Castellarano Municipality
0039 335 7014932 - Centro Studi Storici Castellaranesi

Historical notes

Stone alleys, open spaces, terraced houses give us the image of a very suggestive river village. It is located on the banks of the Secchia river, perched on a sandstone hill which dominates the valley below and which offers monuments, spaces and views of great charm.

A delightful Rocchetta is the most characteristic monument and the first scenographic outpost to protect the centre. It dates back to around 1470 and was the fortified gateway to the ancient village as well as a crossing point of the ancient road that led from the mountains to the plain. The interior spaces are now used partly as exhibition spaces for exhibitions of different kinds, and partly as a restaurant. Crossing the gate that introduces you to the medieval village, you reach the Aia del Mandorlo, a splendid terrace overlooking the Secchia valley, from which it is possible to admire the Castle with its tower, the oldest building in the entire historic centre, and the fifteenth-century Clock Tower, whose wooden gears date back to the 1600s.

Entering the cobbled streets of the village, you will come across the ancient Parish Church, the Rione San Prospero with its historic houses, the panorama of via del Taglio and the eighteenth-century aqueduct, now undergoing restoration, erected to supply the Castle's fountains.

A romantic and long circular route allows the tourist to climb and then descend on cobbled streets and to discover the ancient village of Castellarano.

The Borgo is pet friendly: bowls of water can be requested at the reception.

Opening times

The Village can always be visited for free.
The Rocchetta exhibition halls are open every first and third weekend of the month. Guided tours on request / reservation required for groups and schools.

SERVICES

Guided tours by reservation: 0039 3357014932 - Centro Studi Storici Castellaranesi

HOW TO GET THERE

Castellarano

By car
From the exit Reggio Emilia on the Motorway A1, take SS567 to Scandiano, then Provincial road to Castellarano

By train
From Reggio Emilia, TPER train Reggio-Sassuolo then bus No. 88

By camper
Parking and Camper service in via Don Reverberi, 17