Fontanellato

Fontanellato: A Village of Water and Art, Between a Renaissance Fortress and Baroque Faith

Fontanellato is more than just a village; it's a precious gem nestled in the Parma lowlands, a place where the strength of medieval history blends with the sophistication of Renaissance art. Its main monuments not only recount architectural evolution, but above all the transition from court life to profound popular devotion.

1. Rocca Sanvitale: The Fortress on the Water and the “Secret Chamber”

The Rocca Sanvitale is the unmistakable symbol of Fontanellato, a rare and fascinating example of a fortress entirely surrounded by a moat , which reflects its mighty walls and towers.

• Impregnable geometry: Built as a defensive bastion in the 12th century under the Pallavicino family, it was transformed into an elegant Renaissance residence by the Sanvitale over time. Its current appearance is a perfect balance between the military severity of the Middle Ages and the grace of a noble court.
• The Hall of Diana and Actaeon (Parmigianino's Treasure): The true jewel of the Rocca is the tiny "Stufetta" (private bathroom) frescoed by the very young Francesco Mazzola, known as Parmigianino , between 1523 and 1524. This Mannerist masterpiece depicts the myth of Diana and Actaeon from Metamorphoses . Conceived as an illusory pergola, the fresco represents one of the most enigmatic and seductive pictorial cycles of the Renaissance, an intimate and revolutionary work of art.
• The Optical Chamber: Another unique Italian curiosity is the Optical Chamber . Thanks to an ingenious system of prisms and mirrors, visitors can observe real-time, upside-down images of the square in front, projected onto a screen—a fascinating precursor to photography and cinema.

2. Shrine of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary: ​​The Center of Faith

At the opposite end of the village stands the imposing Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of the Holy Rosary , a place of profound Marian veneration and a superb example of sacred architecture.

• Cradle of Devotion: Built on a pre-existing chapel, the current Sanctuary was built starting in the 17th century, thanks to the patronage of the Sanvitale family and the work of the Dominican Fathers, who promoted the cult linked to the Rosary.
• The Call of Miracles: The Basilica, with its majestic Latin cross plan and single nave, houses valuable Baroque works. Of particular impact is the Gallery of Ex Votos , a rich collection of votive tablets, which testify to centuries of faith and graces received by pilgrims, making it the most beloved and visited Marian center in the Parma area.

3. Other Points of Historical-Religious Interest

Life in the village revolves around these two hubs, including other vestiges of the past.

• Church of Santa Croce: Originally built in 1447, this church on the square facing the Rocca demonstrates the continuing connection between the Sanvitale family and the religious life of the town.
• Oratory of the Assumption: Small but significant, it houses important paintings, including canvases by the Sienese Antonio Nasini.

A visit to Fontanellato is a journey through time that combines the austere charm of medieval fortresses with the secret and intellectual beauty of court art.

Fontanellato: Curiosities and Secrets of the Fortified Village: Alchemy, Ghosts, and Renaissance Optics

Fontanellato, with its distinctive Rocca Sanvitale fortress surrounded by a water-filled moat, is more than just a historic destination; it's a treasure trove of curiosities, blending sublime art, optical engineering, and timeless legends, making it one of the most charming villages in Emilia-Romagna.

The Rocca Sanvitale: One of a Kind

The heart of Fontanellato is its fortress, a bastion that hides stories of unique beauty and ingenuity.

• The Castle on the Water: Rocca Sanvitale stands out as one of the few castles in Italy (and perhaps the only one) to have its historic moat constantly filled with water. This peculiarity is due to the presence of natural springs that feed the moat, hence the town's name: Fontana lata , meaning "abundant spring."
• The Working "Camera Ottica": Inside the fortress is a jewel of 17th-century engineering: a Camera Ottica . Through an ingenious system of lenses and mirrors, visitors can observe images of the square in front projected, upside down, in real time, onto a screen inside the darkened room. This device, effectively an ancestor of the photographic camera, adds a touch of scientific magic to the visit.
• Parmigianino's Hidden Masterpiece: The Rocca houses the famous "Stufetta di Diana e Atteone ," frescoed by the young and brilliant Mannerist painter Parmigianino (Francesco Mazzola) between 1523 and 1524. This pictorial cycle, considered an absolute masterpiece, was originally the private bathroom (or alchemy studio of Countess Paola Gonzaga, and remained a "secret" for centuries. The fresco is a marvelous illusion of perspective, a pergola opening onto the blue sky, and contains hermetic symbols and mythological allegories that are still being studied.

Legends and Popular Traditions

The history of Fontanellato is not only made of stone and art, but also of spirituality and mysterious anecdotes.

• Ghosts and Presences: Like any self-respecting castle, Rocca Sanvitale boasts its own ghost legend. It is said that the spirit of Bermond or Bertrando Sanvitale , a child who died in tragic circumstances, haunts the fortress. It is said that the boy's spirit periodically appears, making the fortress a destination for ghost hunting .
• The Dominican Vow: The imposing Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of the Holy Rosary was built starting in the 17th century in fulfillment of a vow made by the community to invoke the Madonna's protection against the plague. The Sanctuary is today the heart of the Marian faith in the Parma area, famous for its rich gallery of votive offerings .
• The Antiques Market: Not a historical curiosity, but a tradition that animates the present: every third Sunday of the month, the square surrounding the Rocca is transformed into one of the antiques and collectibles in Northern Italy, attracting enthusiasts and the curious from far and wide.

Fontanellato: Personalities Who Celebrated the Village Through Art, Science, and Literature

Although Fontanellato is internationally renowned more for its masterpieces than for its illustrious natives, the village has given birth to prominent figures who have left their mark on Italian history and has attracted exceptional minds, inextricably linking their names to its fortress.

Illustrious Natives: Science and Craftsmanship

Fontanellato's true pride among its sons is a pioneer of Italian prehistory.

Luigi Pigorini (1842 – 1925)

• The Father of Italian Palethnology: Luigi Pigorini is undoubtedly the most influential scientific and cultural figure from Fontanellato. He was a distinguished archaeologist, palethnologist, and anthropologist.
• Founder of Museums: His work is crucial to the history of prehistoric research: he was co-founder of the famous Bulletin of Italian Palethnology and, above all, he gave his name to the National Prehistoric and Ethnographic Museum of Rome , which today bears his name, a fundamental institution for the conservation of the Italian archaeological heritage.

John Baptist Biazzi

• The Baroque Carver: Originally from Fontanellato, Giovanni Battista Biazzi was a talented carver active in the 17th century.
• Art in the Sacristy: He is particularly known for having created the finely carved baroque wooden furniture Church of Santa Croce , a fine example of local craftsmanship.

The Central Figures of the Fortress: The Art Patrons

Although not native, the figures who shaped Fontanellato's artistic and historical identity deserve honorable mention, as their fate is engraved on the walls of the Rocca.

Paola Gonzaga Sanvitale (Sabbioneta, circa 1500 – 1550)

• The Muse of Mannerism: Paola Gonzaga, a cultured and refined noblewoman, was the true architect of the Rocca's Renaissance elegance. Wife of Count Galeazzo Sanvitale, it was she who commissioned the young Parmigianino (Francesco Mazzola) to paint the fresco cycle for her private "Stufetta," the famous Room of Diana and Actaeon .
• Enigmatic Icon: Her portrait (or a possible allegorical portrait of her as Ceres, the goddess of fertility) is found inside the room, making it forever linked to this masterpiece and the mystery of Mannerism.

Francesco Mazzola, known as Parmigianino (Parma, 1503 – 1540)

• The Precocious Genius: Although born in Parma, Parmigianino's brief but intense stay in Fontanellato was the pinnacle of his artistic youth. The Room of Diana and Actaeon is one of his first independent masterpieces, a work that demonstrates his extraordinary ability to manipulate space and infuse mythological allegories with a touch of ingenious disquiet. His work has secured the Rocca Sanvitale eternal fame in the world art scene.

Modern Literary Curiosities

Finally, Fontanellato has continued to stimulate the imagination and work of contemporary authors.

• The Rocca in Literature: The famous writer Francesca Sanvitale , descendant of the cadet branch of the historic noble family, paid homage to the castle by dedicating the title of one of her essays ( Camera ottica ) to the famous engineering device of the Rocca, perpetuating the link between the manor and contemporary culture.

The Paradise of the Lower Parma Area: Recipes from Fontanellato

Fontanellato, framed by its majestic fortress, is a true culinary capital in Food Valley . Its cuisine is an ode to the richness of the Bassa, where the finest cured meats and hand-rolled egg pasta reach pinnacles of perfection. Here, rural simplicity transforms into gastronomic luxury.

Cured meats: The Triumph of “Culaccia”

Fontanellato boasts a product that is the perfect synthesis between the sweetness of Parma Ham and the aroma of Culatello di Zibello: Culaccia .

1. Culaccia di Fontanellato

• Exclusive Excellence: Culaccia is a prized cured meat, made from the best part of the pork leg, without the bone or rind, but with an outer covering of fat and pepper to ensure its tenderness during curing. Sweet and mellow on the palate, it represents the most distinctive and recognized gastronomic identity of the village.
• The Art of Tasting: Culaccia is best enjoyed thinly sliced ​​and accompanied by the famous Torta Fritta . This fried bread dough (known elsewhere gnocco fritto must-try , its lightness and warmth making every slice of cured meat melt in your mouth.

First Courses: The Golden Puff Pastry of the "Rezdore"

The tradition of fresh pasta is sacred in these lands, rigorously passed down by the rezdore (housewives) who transform flour and eggs into authentic masterpieces.

2. Tortelli d'Erbetta (St. John's Dish)

• Traditional Stuffing: This is the most iconic first course of spring and early summer, celebrated in a veritable folk festival around June 24th, the feast of St. John. The filling is a perfect balance of fresh ricotta and greens (usually spinach and chard).
• The Essential Seasoning: Their delicacy is enhanced by a seasoning that is pure Parma poetry: melted butter (clarified, if possible), a generous sprinkling of Parmigiano Reggiano sage leaves that give off an intoxicating aroma.

3. Anolini in Broth

• The Symbol of the Holidays: The Anolino ( anolén in dialect) is the most sacred ravioli of the cuisine of Parma and the Bassa, the essential dish of Christmas and the great winter celebrations.
• The Philosophy of the Filling: The traditional recipe calls for egg pasta filled with Parmigiano Reggiano (often a blend of different ages) and, in the more robust Bassa variant (also called anolino con lo stracotto ), the addition of beef or veal stew meat broth (traditionally made from capon, beef, and chicken).

The Perfect Pairing: Traditional Wine

No dish from the Bassa Parmense area can be considered complete without its chosen companion.

Lambrusco: The Sparkling Red

• A glass for cured meats: To contrast the richness of cured meats like Culaccia and Torta Fritta, the ideal pairing is a light, crisp, and lively red: Lambrusco , in its local denominations. Its light acidity and lively foam "cleanse" the palate and invite the next bite, completing the flavor cycle.

Fontanellato is therefore an obligatory stop not only for lovers of history and art, but for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the authentic and unrepeatable taste of ducal gastronomy .