Rocchetta Mattei

History

Rocchetta Mattei was the home of count Cesare Mattei, a scholar, politician and self-taught physician who founded electrohomeopathy, a practice founded on homeopathy.

On November 5, 1850, the first stone of Rocchetta Mattei was laid, and as early as 1859 it became habitable and eventually Cesare Mattei’s permanent residence. Inside Rocchetta Mattei, the count led a life as a medieval castellan and even created a court, complete with a buffoon.

The castle hosted illustrious individuals who came from everywhere to undergo Mattei's treatment, including Ludwig III of Bavaria and Alexander II of Russia. In 1925, there was an official visit by the Prince of Piedmont. Even Fyodor Dostoevsky quotes the Count in The Brothers Karamazov, when he tells the devil he managed to recover from terrible rheumatism thanks to a book and some drops from Count Mattei.

During World War II, German troops damaged the interior of the building. When the conflict was over, the last heir, Iris Boriani, was unable to sell the building, and offered it free to the Municipality of Bologna, but they did not accept the donation.

In 1959, Rocchetta Mattei was purchased by Primo Stefanelli. He transformed one of the smaller buildings, already used as a hunting pavilion, into a cozy hotel with an adjoining restaurant. The restaurant accessed an adjacent shady park, creating an oasis of peace and serenity.

Stefanelli wanted to repair the damage and restore the castle to its original condition and make it a prime tourist destination.

In 1989, Stefanelli died and the situation deteriorated; due to various problems, Rocchetta Mattei was definitively closed to the public.

In 1997, a committee was created for the preservation of the castle which, in the face of total abandonment by the owners and government institutions, seemed destined to ruin. Many initiatives were launched, such as a human chain around Rocchetta Mattei and conferences and debates, which were very successful.

In 2000, a museum was established about Count Cesare Mattei, the Rocchetta Mattei, and electrohomeopathy on Via Nazionale 117 in Riola di Vergato, seat of the Committee "Archivio Museo Cesare Mattei". It continues in the present day collecting historical things relating to the life of Count Cesare Mattei.

In 2006, the foundation of Cassa di Risparmio in Bologna officially announced the acquisition of Rocchetta Mattei, restored it, which ultimately led to the reopening to the public on August 9, 2015.

Description

The set of buildings that make up the present castle was located on a medieval complex, which belonged to the emperors Frederick I and Otto IV and the domain of Matilda of Tuscany, who held a vassal, Lanfranco da Savignano, as guardian. The need to defend the passage on the Rhine made this castle precious to the rulers of the time. Having fallen into the hands of the Bolognese, and created a more advanced defensive line, the fortress became useless and was destroyed in 1293.

Before choosing Savignano for its castle, it seems that Cesare Mattei had visited several places. The place was preferred for many reasons: the ease of access, the rock forming a gigantic natural pedestal, and the location on the confluence of the rivers Limentra orientale and Reno. The predominant style of the building is Moorish, with additional medieval and modern Italian architecture.

The main entrance opens onto a branch of highway 64. An inscription at the top commemorates the origin and completion of the building with the following words:

Il Conte Cesare Mattei - sopra le rovine di antica rocca - edificò questo castello dove visse XXV anni - benefico ai poveri - assiduamente studioso - delle virtù mediche dell'erbe - per la qual scienza ebbe nome in Europa - ed era cercato dagli infermi il suo soccorso - Mario Venturoli Mattei - compié l'edificio - e secondo il voto di lui - nel X anno dalla morte - ne portò qui le ceneri - con amore e riconoscenza di figlio - il III Aprile MCMVI

Translation: Count Cesare Mattei - above the ruins of an ancient fortress - built this castle where he lived for twenty-five years - charitable to the poor – an assiduous scholar - of the medical virtues of herbs - for which science was named in Europe - and was sought by the sick for his help - Mario Venturoli Mattei - completed the building - and according to his wishes – 10 years from his death - his ashes were brought here - with love and gratitude as a son - the 3 April 1906 …