The dining hall is one of the most representative rooms in the Rocca Sanvitale in Fontanellato. Dishes, ceramics and crockery tell the story of the noble family and are a piece of culture of this land.
Sanvitale plate (17th Century)Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
The coat of arms of the Counts Sanvitale appears on the plates...
Still-life with fish (17th Century) by Felice BoselliRocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
... which have the typical shape "cappello di vescovo", thought to contain the main dish in the middle and a side dish on the edge of the plate.
Cupboard with plates (17th Century)Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
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Food has always been an index of wealth and therefore of power and the paintings hanging on the walls are a clear evidence of this.
Still-life with fish (17th Century) by Felice BoselliRocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
"Si fa pubblica grida, bando e commandamento che non sia persona alcuna di qualsivoglia grado, stato e condizione che ardisca sotto qualsivoglia pretesto andar, lassar o lassar andare porci ne permettere che vadino in alcuno canale, rio, fosso... che detti porci sono dannosi et mangiano li gamberi sotto pena di uno scudo d'oro per ciascuno porco." (From a law by Alfonso Sanvitale, 1605)
The chandelier (19th Century)Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
Set tables in the courtyard (20th Century)Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
Abundance certainly characterized the banquets that the noble Sanvitale prepared for themselves and for their guests.
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The coat of arms.
General view (17th Century)Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
But the common day table had a great importance, too, in particular the dinner, served at 17.00, was a very rich meal: an appetizer, three seconds, a salad and a dessert.
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And the wide fireplaces, necessary for heating rooms, were often used to keep the food warm...
The fireplace in the Weapon Room (16th Century)Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
... and the wonderful fireplace in the Hall of Arms is an example.
Parmigiano Reggiano (21st Century)Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
The fontanellatese cuisine of today has preserved this wealth, expressed in various typical local products..
Torta fritta e salume (21st Century)Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
... cold cuts with the typical torta fritta...
Tortelli d'erbetta (21st Century)Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
... the tortelli d'erbetta...
Rocca Sanvitale view from Garibaldi SquareRocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
... that are only some examples of that fontanellatese culture, passed down through generations, which, with a broader meaning, can be defined "culture of good living".
