Optics and science
The Sanvitale family has always accompanied the history of the Rocca and has always been characterized by an intense and marked cultural vivacity, aimed at the search of the new
Window in the courtyard (19th Century)Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
Inside the castle there are many signs of the various innovations that have been made
The astrolabeRocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
One of the most curious elements that testifies this passion is the astrolabe
The Astrolabe (16thCentury)Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
Currently preserved in the reception room, it is still conceived according to the Copernican theory with the Earth in the middle.
A photograph taken by Count Giovanni Sanvitale (19th Century)Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
But the innovation that has left the most marks in the Rocca is photography
The portrait of Giovanni Sanvitale (20th Century) by Latino BarilliRocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
Giovanni Sanvitale at the end of the 19th Century became a pioneer of this technique
A photograph taken by Count Giovanni Sanvitale (19th Century)Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
In the Rocca there are many of his photos of various subjects.
The south-east tower contains the optical room (19th Century)Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
The passion for photography has led to the creation of a physical place linked to this principle.
The roof garden in spring (21st Century)Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
At the end of the roof garden, in the circular tower, the optical room is hidden
Optical chamber (19th Century)Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
A game of prisms allows you to see what is happening in the square from the inside.
Optical chamber: inside view (19th Century)Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
The picture is put on two tables and comfortably watched while seated
The roof garden and the entrance to the optical room (19th Century)Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
From the outside, the tower doesn’t seem to hide anything particular...
Optical chamber: the table in the east side (19th Century)Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
... but ...
Optical chamber: the table in the west side (19th Century)Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
instead of what someone can think, it wasn’t a military defence tool, but just a pastime
The optical device (19th Century)Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
Although made of poor materials and over 200 years old...
The optical device: the prism (19th Century)Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
... it’s the only original one still in operation today in Italy.
