Top 7 Castles around Sestola

Montese is located along the Appennino bike tour. Only a short detour is needed to enter the beautiful town center.

tour with e bike, easy very pleasant

It is believed that the rocky block on which Roccapelago stands was an ancient prehistoric castle. The first mention of a "Castrum Pelago" is found in a document dated 753. Roccapelago probably belonged to the Gualandelli family since the 12th century, and was subsequently a fiefdom of the Montegarullo family from 1240, whose warlike politics it suffered, especially under Obizzo da Montegarullo. In 1393, Obizzo having rebelled against the Este family, Roccapelago was besieged by the Lucchese allies of the house of Este, who took possession of the castle. In 1396 Obizzo managed to regain possession of it and Roccapelago remained with the Montegarullo family until 1408 when a powerful military contingent, under the command of Uguccione dei Contrari, managed to capture it and take it prisoner to Ferrara. In 1586, the new church of Roccapelago was built on the perimeter of the now abandoned castle. The square, massive shape, without arches, without columns and without vaults suggests that its room had been the hall of the Obizzo manor. The bell tower was built at the expense of the population in 1765, using a tower from the old castle. Other restoration works were carried out in 1925 due to damage from an earthquake. Four ancient rooms have recently been recovered which currently house the "In the footsteps of Obizzo da Montegarullo" and "The Mummies of Roccapelago" museums. From the site: http://www.roccapelago.it/

In the village of Viecave, which once had considerable strategic and sighting importance, there is a high tower around which some remains of the castle, now almost completely disappeared, can still be seen. The many landslides that have occurred in recent centuries have upset the geography of Viecave, where, moreover, two other fifteenth-sixteenth century buildings are still clearly distinguishable.

Some suggest the derivation of the toponym Viecave from Viae Capitum (main streets), mentioned for the first time in a 14th century document. From the 15th century it became an independent municipality, until, in the 17th century, it was absorbed by Crocette. The solitary tower, which rises above the village, dates back to the sixteenth century and is the only remaining evidence of the ancient castle. The building next door, which includes a tower house and a service building, has five portals and two of them bear the date of 1565 (east) and 1682 (west). Interesting to note the use of wood for pillars and beams. http://www.camministorici.it/it/user/4/punti-di-interest/vie-cave

Montecuccolo Castle is a wonderful and majestic well-preserved castle that is worth visiting. Its history begins at the time of Matilda of Canossa, when a family of her vassals obtained the investiture of the fiefdom in 1116 from Emperor Henry V and built a tower and a first palace on this hill at the beginning of the 12th century. After a long struggle with other local feudal lords, the Montecuccoli, who emerged victorious, expanded the fortress which took on its current appearance between the 15th and 17th centuries, with the addition of the new palace, the square tower and the podesteria. The castle offers a beautiful view of the sunset from its terrace located in the rear entrance, where the restaurant is also located. A curious fact about the castle is that it houses the highest balsamic vinegar cell in the world, at an altitude of 873 metres.

The Rocca di Montese is a historic fortress located on top of a hill in the municipality of Montese, in the province of Modena. Built in the 13th century, it has undergone several transformations over the centuries and has been the scene of important historical events. The panoramic view over the Panaro river valley makes it a popular tourist attraction.

The tower of the Montecuccoli castle