Vignola Fortress

Introduction

Vignola Fortress, "strong ancient building with two boundary walls and three towers and several other conveniences” appears in front of the visitor as an impressive four-sided stronghold, final result of several building stages, particularly those introduces by the Grassoni’s family first and by the contrary’s family later, which transformed it by stronghold into noble residence.

On the left of the facade is located the entrance main hall, once guarded by two drawbridges, ditch, doors and portcullises. Now remain only two doors and some traces of the rest. On the right the Paintbrush Tower (Torre del Pennello) and behind it, in the four-sided stronghold corner facing the Panaro river, The Women Tower (Torre delle Donne) and last of all the most ancient and impressive, the Nonantola Tower (Torre di Nonantola). On the external walls connecting this tower to the entrance main hall is a round bastion called Little Fort (Rocchetta), which is distinguished from the architectural structure by the peculiar shape.

The Fortress, built on a calcareous rock, locally named "tufo", jutting out on the river, is now a five storey building, from the underground cellar, where the Grassoni and Contrari Rooms are located, to the walkways. Regarding the specific use of each room, on the ground floor there are the entertainment rooms dedicated to public and official court life: banquets, parties, music, theatre, justice administration. The first floor was instead dedicated to the private life, noble men and their guests’ apartments. The servants and the Fortress troops were probably lodged on the superior level, where also the service rooms were, absolutely necessary in such a big building.

We would furthermore suggest  to the visitor, besides gazing the beautiful surrounding landscape, the paintings, the mighty structures, to let his or her mind and imagination wander in this charming and evocative atmosphere, trying to evoke not only who was mastering and who was obeying, but their faces, feelings and moods in a continuous switching from dream to reality and vice-versa.