THE TOWN

Castell’ Arquato is an artistic centre of extraordinary beauty pervaded by a magical atmosphere of other times.
Its low terraces of houses built of red brick and its narrow, cobble stoned streets lead to the top of the hill where they open onto the magnificent monumental square of an urban nucleus that has remained perfectly preserved in the heart of the Arda Valley that disappears on the one hand towards the Via Emilia and the flat plains of Padania, and on the other towards the hills of Vernasca and the marvellous medieval citadel of Vigoleno.

It is rich in architectural beauty. The Visconti “Rocca” or Fortress, commissioned by the Commune of Piacenza and built by Luchino Visconti between 1342 and 1349, is one of the most noteworthy pieces of military building in Northern Italy. As well as the external walls four defensive towers have survived, of which only the eastern one is complete. The whole complex is dominated by the great keep, worth climbing up t see the splendid panorama and the Museum of Medieval Life housed in it.

The apsidal complex of the Collegiate is of great beauty. One of the oldest churches in the area, it already existed in 756 as a baptismal Church. It was reconstructed after the earthquake of 1117 and consecrated in 1122.
The stone baptismal font dates back to the VII-VIII Century while the lovely splayed portal with its architrave, sculpted lunette are XII Century. On the left side of the Church is the 14th-15th century portico “of Paradise” which is so called for the tombs of the illustrious figures interred there. The most fascinating part of the building is however the volumetric play of the four apses set against the pointed roofs and the square bell tower. The Collegiate Church has a small museum of precious sacred artefacts.

The Palazzo del Podestà or governor’s palace was built in 1292, on the North side of the monumental square.
The oldest part of the building is the rectangular fortress, to which further elements were added in the 15th century, such as the Notary’s Loggia.
The elegant external staircase adds a rare sense of harmony to the e facade, surmounted by a parapet dating back to the 15th century.
The pentagonal tower is an unusual element, already present in the original project. This mixture and stratification of styles adds to the charm and beauty of the construction.

The Monteguzzo hosts the Farnese Tower which is also worth seeing: is was the erected around 1530 and left unfinished, probably because of the death of the Duke Bosio II Sforza. Entirety constructed in brick, it was part of the town’s defensive system with military functions although the complex has a certain grace that lends it a mysterious fascination, because of its secret tunnels which fire the imagination. Secret passageways must have led out into the open countryside or to the Ducal Palace, the name given to the 17th century Palace of Justice built in 1292.

The Ducal Fountain or “Fontana del Duca”, dates back to the same period and was still in use as a public wash-house in 19th century.
The Ospedale of Santo Spirito, which hosts the splendid Geological dates back to the 16th century. It is a museum particularly rich in extraordinary finds given that the area was submerged beneath the sea in prehistoric times.
Two of the four original access gateways in the strong external walls built Duke Azzo Visconti in 1342 have survived to this, one of which was much altered in the 17th Century. The other – the “Porta di Sasso” or Stone Gate – goes back to the time of the Visconti.

In the little village of Vigolo Marchese, a few kilometres from Castell’ Arquato you can admire the splendid Romanesque complex of the Church and Baptistery of San Giovanni, built by the Marquis Oberto d’Orta, Lord of the Nure Valley in
1008. The handsome circular form of the baptistery, the play of the golden brickwork and stonework in the quiet country setting is pure visual poetry.