The fortress was built in 1385 by the Marchesi Bonifacio and Antonio Lupi who in 1347 had received feudal investiture over the territory from Charles IV, power that their family continued to exercise until was abolished at the time of Napoleon.
It is probable that the first fortress, with a square floor plan and four towers at the corners, took only a year to build, while the outer walls were completed in 1392. At that time, the building appeared as a powerful fortress equipped with all kinds of defensive structures against attacks from the outside.
As time went by, and the Signorias became consolidated, conflicts between feudal lords gradually decreased and it was therefore possible to make the structures of the castle more genteel turning it into a more pleasant and comfortable residence, while still preserving its older parts.
The castle in fact underwent considerable rebuilding especially in the 16th century, but it was only in the next century that it became a magnificent princely residence, with the appearance that it still has today. Subsequent modifications were made by Angelo Rasori from Parma and by Antonio Tomba from Piacenza, respectively in the 1700s and 1800s.
The fortress, enriche over time with countless works of art and invaluable evidence of the past, has always remained the property of the Meli Lupi family.
Works of art of Nicolò dell’Abate, Cesare Baglione, Ferdinando and Francesco Galli Bibiena, Giacomo Mercoli, Giovanni Bolla, The fortress was built in 1385 by the Marchesi Bonifacio and Antonio Lupi who in 1347 had received feudal investiture over the territory from Charles IV, power that their family continued to exercise until was abolished at the time of Napoleon.
It is probable that the first fortress, with a square floor plan and four towers at the corners, took only a year to build, while the outer walls were completed in 1392. At that time, the building appeared as a powerful fortress equipped with all kinds of defensive structures against attacks from the outside.
As time went by, and the Signorias became consolidated, conflicts between feudal lords gradually decreased and it was therefore possible to make the structures of the castle more genteel turning it into a more pleasant and comfortable residence, while still preserving its older parts.
The castle in fact underwent considerable rebuilding especially in the 16th century, but it was only in the next century that it became a magnificent princely residence, with the appearance that it still has today. Subsequent modifications were made by Angelo Rasori from Parma and by Antonio Tomba from Piacenza, respectively in the 1700s and 1800s.
The fortress, enriche over time with countless works of art and invaluable evidence of the past, has always remained the property of the Meli Lupi family.
Works of art of Nicolò dell’Abate, Cesare Baglione, Ferdinando and Francesco Galli Bibiena, Giacomo Mercoli, Giovanni Bolla, Lorenzo Aili, Alvise da Ca’ and Giacomo Facchini are here duly represented.