Photo: Davidespiga, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Castle, 15th century
Montechino Castle
Building in Gropparello, Italy
Gropparello (PC), Emilia-Romagna
At a glance
- Type
- Castle
- Period
- Middle Ages, 15th century
- Protection
- Italian national heritage
- Coordinates
- 44°48′44″ N, 9°41′25″ E
- Address
- via Castello 1 ‒ Montechino ‒ Gropparello (PC)
History and description
Montechino Castle is located in Montechino village, in the municipality of Gropparello, in the Riglio valley, province of Piacenza, Italy. It is situated on the crest of Monte Occhino hill, overlooking the Riglio river.
History
Montechino Castle was built in the 12th century as a strategic outpost to defend the Riglio valley. The castle controlled an important trade route between northern and southern Europe. It served those on pilgrimage to Rome or to Santiago de Compostela, in Galicia, Spain. According to the Enciclopedia Treccani, after returning from the Crusades the Confalonieri family from Piacenza took control of the castle in the early 12th century. In 1393 Gian Galeazzo Visconti, Duke of Milan, while solidifying his control of the area, conferred the feudal title of Count and the lands surrounding Montechino to the family as vassal allies. In 1492 they sold the castle and all its land in the valley to the aristocratic Nicelli family who continued to improve the property. By 1842 it was controlled by Count Marazzani. In 1944, during the latter stages of World War II, in the italian resistance movement a famous Italian partisan division occupied the castle using it as their headquarters in their fight against Nazi occupation. In 1955 it was bought by Monsignor Stefano Fumagalli, archbishop of San Polo, who converted the castle to a retirement home for nuns. In 1986 it returned to private hands and was restored it to its original design as a stately home.
Description
The castle was built from large rectangular stones. It features an archetypical defensive tower topped by battlements with Guelphs merlon. These fortifications were needed during the 14th and 15th centuries when powerful rival families fought for control over the region. Still visible are the original decorative gables, the foundations of a medieval bridge, and the original drawbridge apparatus.
Text from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Full article: «Montechino Castle».
Timeline
- 15th centuryBuilt
Events and people from Wikidata (CC0).
Getting there
Address
via Castello 1 ‒ Montechino ‒ Gropparello (PC)
Our data shows no stations, stops or car parks nearby. Check how to get there before you set out.
Loading map…
Nearby
See on the mapMore castles in Emilia-Romagna
- Free 1st Sunday
Frequently asked questions
Where is Montechino Castle?
Montechino Castle is in Gropparello, in the province of Piacenza (Emilia-Romagna), Italy. Address: via Castello 1 ‒ Montechino ‒ Gropparello (PC). GPS coordinates: 44.81217, 9.69041.
How old is Montechino Castle?
Wikidata dates it to the 15th century.
What else is there to see near Montechino Castle?
Nearby you’ll find: Area archeologica e Antiquarium di Veleia (3.9 km away), Antiquarium of Velleia (3.9 km away), Velleia (3.9 km away).
Sources and licences
Text. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Data. Wikidata (CC0); opening hours and contacts OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
Photos. Wikimedia Commons, author and licence on every image.
Credits for the 1 photos
- Castello di montechino — Davidespiga, Public domain
Updated 28 October 2026. All sources and licences