Rocca Sanvitale
The Rocca Sanvitale, or Sanvitale Castle, is a fortress residence in the centre of the town of Fontanellato, near Parma, northern Italy. Construction of the moated block, accessible through a drawbridge, was begun in the 13th century, mostly completed by the 15th century, with embellishments continuing through to the 18th century. It is prototypical of the urban castle-houses of the turbulent medieval communes of Northern Italy. Until the 1930s it was the home of the descendants of the Count of Sanvitale.
![](../I/m/Rocca_Sanvitale_-_Fontanellato.jpg)
The crenelated walls and asymmetric towers are surrounded by an arcaded town. Adjacent to the castle are gardens and a courtyard. The optical chamber (camera ottica) has an optical system that projects to an inside wall a view of the town through mirrors and a prism. Rocca Sanvitale is now partly a museum and partly offices and conference hall for the town administration.
![](../I/m/Parmigianino%2C_affreschi_di_fontanellato_01.jpg)
Inside are the frescoes of Diane and Acteon painted in 1523-24 by Parmigianino for the Count Galeazzo Sanvitale and his wife, Paola Gonzaga.
Sources
- Guerrieri, Daniela (2006). Castelli del Ducato di Parma e Piacenza. NLF.