The Rocca and The Village
The Rocca is the centre of the village, from which all the urban developments of Fontanellato since its origins have been moving
via Sanvitale and the typical "portici"Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
The historical village is composed by portici, from which the windows of the ancient shops appear.
Outside view (15th Century)Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
The Sanvitale family had its stables in the building in front of the entrance.
The sundial in the Garden of the Stables (19th Century)Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
Behind the stables, the private park, first hunting reserve and then park for relaxation.
The Rocchetta (19th Century)Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
At the end of 19th century it was used for children, too, and a second little Rocca was created inside the park
Zanella Park (21th Century)Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
Today it is a private park, but a part of it was given to the municipality and now it is a green public area.
The Theater (19th Century)Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
In the park there was a theater, too, which had been destroyed. Later the theater was rebuilt in the village.
Historical map of the town centre (19th Century)Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
The properties of the Sanvitale family have often been made available to the population: a lot of churches and activities were born on their lands.
The Beata Vergine del Rosario Sanctuary (17th Century)Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
The Sanctuary is an example: it was built in 1660 on a land donated by the Sanvitale to the Dominican friars.
The ghibelline battlements (15th Century)Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
But it’s not the only church wanted by the Sanvitale: the Oratorio dell’Assunta was built directly behind the Rocca.
Santa Croce Church (15th Century)Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
Inside the church Santa Croce, among the various decorations, the coat of arms of the Sanvitale family is visible
The monumental complex of San Benedetto in Priorato (18th Century)Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
The recognition of their devotion was the creation of a priory in the church of the homonymous hamlet
The first school in Fontanellato. (20th Century)Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato
Just outside the ring moat, different services for the population were created and one of these, the most innovative, was the school built in 1912.
