Montecuccolo's Castle
Theme ART AND CULTURE

Montecuccolo's Castle

A stone’s throw from Renno we come across the Castle of Montecuccolo, where the famous military leader Raimondo Montecuccoli was born, best known for fighting in the Thirty-Year War (1616-48) and in the Austro-Turkish War (1661-1664), in which he halted the Ottoman army.

The road climbs to the village situated at the foot of the medieval castle, which perches on a rocky spur to watch over the Scoltenna valley and the roads to Tuscany.

The beautiful little square containing the fifteenth century church of San Lorenzo gives access through a pointed archway to the imposing castle, which is also a nature observatory given its panoramic position. The stately complex is built almost entirely of stone.

The various floors are linked by a spiral staircase also in stone. The Salone di Raimondo on the first floor features richly decorated friezes, and is home to a large sculpted, period fireplace, while on the top floor are the battlements. The underground prisons are reached from the main entrance. The castle is the seat of the Natural History Museum of Frignano and two art collections.