The Castle of Formigine (Modena), built by the Comune of Modena in 1201 following a defeat by the rival Comune of Reggio Emilia, stands in the heart of the Formigine area, a symbol of the community and a key place of collective memory.
In the 10th century, a small parish church, perhaps dedicated to St. Bartolomew stood in the site of the majestic fortress. In 1201, following a defeat at the hands of the Comune of Reggio Emilia, the Comune of Modena decided to fortify the area. The defensive structures were altered around the mid-14th century, and the village was moved outside the fortress. With the arrival of the Pio family, lords of Carpi, in 1405, the castle took on the layout it still retains today: the marquis’ palace, a noble residence, was built alongside the oldest nucleus, known as the “rocchetta”.
The castle passed to the d'Este family in 1599, who gave it as a fief to the Calcagnini family in 1648. Formigine and its fortress were seriously damaged in WWII bombing. Immediately after the war, the municipal administration acquired the entire complex and rebuilt it for municipal use. Approximately 50 years later, the municipal offices were moved to allow for major restoration work.
The oldest part of the castle houses the museum and documentation centre: a journey through time that stretches from the 10th century to the present day recounting the places, people and things of the past with a contemporary language.
The castle is surrounded by a park of over 4,000 m2, where the ancient towers act as a scenic backdrop. An observation point connected to the “rocchetta” provides a view of the archaeological area holding the ruins of the ancient parish church dedicated to St. Bartolomew, the adjoining bell tower and tombs from the 10th century, the oldest nucleus of the rural settlement.
Emilia-Romagna Film Commission
Viale Aldo Moro 38 — 40127 Bologna
Phone: +39 051 5278753
Email: filmcom@regione.emilia-romagna.it
