The Fortress Meli Lupi of Soragna
The fortress was built in 1385 by the Marchesi Bonifacio and Antonio Lupi who had received feudal investiture over the territory from Charles IV
Poets GalleryRocca Meli Lupi di Soragna
The walls are frescoed with pastoral landscapes and mythological scenes by Giovanni Motta in 1798.
The ArmouryRocca Meli Lupi di Soragna
In the Armoury there are the arms used by the family members from the 15th to the 20th centuries. Most of them bear the family Coat of Arms.
The Antique Billiard RoomRocca Meli Lupi di Soragna
In the middle of the room there is an 18th century English style billiard table, covered in pyrographed leather cloth realised in Cordova in the 17th century. On the walls are the portraits of many members of the family.
The Baglione RoomRocca Meli Lupi di Soragna
The room is wholly decorated by frescoes in grotesque style, realised by the Italian painter Cesare Baglione in 1580. The main theme is water and is inspired from the Grotesques painted by Raffaello in the Vatican Logge.
The Room of the Strong WomenRocca Meli Lupi di Soragna
The Noble Apartment
The Room of the Strong Women, the Throne Hall and the Wedding Room are known as "The Noble Apartment", realised to celebrate the wedding of Giampaolo Meli Lupi and Ottavia Rossi
The name of the room comes from the fact that here there are two frescoes representing two biblical events, in which women were stronger than men. Judith and Holofernes, Sisara and Jael
The Room of the Strong Women - fireplaceRocca Meli Lupi di Soragna
It features a beautiful fireplace with the Coat of Arms of the family. The stuccowork are by Giacomo Mercoli
The Throne Hall - canopyRocca Meli Lupi di Soragna
The canopy, realised by Lorenzo Aili, carved in wood and gold leaf, has the family Coat of Arms. The armchairs are by Ottavio Calderoni, while brocades and velvets are coming from Venice
The Throne HallRocca Meli Lupi di Soragna
The ceiling was frescoed by Giovanni Bolla and Giovanni Clerici. The golden cornice was realised by Giuseppe Bosi in 1706. The canopy and putto figures at the corners of the cornice are the work of Lorenzo Aili, who carved them in wood and gold leaf in 1695. The chandelier in silver leaf can be ascribed to the brothers Francesco and Giuseppe Bevilotti (1706)
The Throne Hall - secretaireRocca Meli Lupi di Soragna
One of the two wood and rock crystal secretaires realised in 1700 in Venice for the wedding of Giampaolo and Ottavia. The ebony table below, realised by Sebastiano Novale, has inlays in brass, coral and mother of pearl; the marine figures on the lower part were realised by Michele Fanoli
The Bed and the little Gate of the Wedding RoomRocca Meli Lupi di Soragna
A small gilded-wood gate separates the bed from the rest of the room. On the left and right sides of the gate there are an eagle and a wolf recalling the family Coat of Arms. It was made at the end of 17th century by Lorenzo Aili. On the ceiling there is a fresco made by Giovanni Bolla, illustrating the Asumption of the Virgin. The gilded-wood canopy is also signed Lorenzo Aili
The two doors of the little gate in the Wedding RoomRocca Meli Lupi di Soragna
The gilded-wood small gate who separates the bed from the rest of the Wedding Room was made by Lorenzo Aili at the end of the 17th century.
You can have a closer look at this detail for the gilded-wood small gate, which separates the bed from the rest of the room.
Mirror of the Wedding RoomRocca Meli Lupi di Soragna
One of the two precious and invaluable Venetian mirrors, with frames in Murano glass and blue and white crystals. At the centre, the family Coat of Arms. They were made by Vincenzo della Vedra at the end of the 17th century.
The fireplace of the Wedding RoomRocca Meli Lupi di Soragna
The fireplace was made in red Verona marble by Alberto Oliva at the end of the 17th century. The coverage was realised in gilded wood, painted and inlaid in Baroque style.
The Dressing RoomRocca Meli Lupi di Soragna
The marble floor by Pietro Oliva is embellished with the rampant wolf and the double-headed eagle, a testimony to the Family relationship with the Emperor of Austria.
The loveseat was embroidered in the Parma region while the chairs are in French style.
On the walls are displayed the portraits of Giampaolo and Ottavia.
The Dressing RoomRocca Meli Lupi di Soragna
The carved ceiling was realised by Giuseppe Bosi, the stuccowork by Giacomo Mercoli.Above the door hangs the portrait of Giampaolo and Ottavia's son, Giambattista, who unfortunately died young. (1682-1698)
The Chinoiserie writing desk dates back to the first decades of the 18th century.
