Rocca dei Rossi
Rocca dei Rossi is a castle located in San Secondo Parmense, northern Italy. It was begun in 1466 on land donated to Giacomo Rossi, a member of one of the most prestigious families in Parma. The stronghold was later turned into a luxurious manor including many beautiful frescoes by the best local artists of the 16th century. The last heir of the Rossi family donated the castle back to the Municipality of San Secondo and was used as Town hall until 2007. The manor is open and available to tours of its architecture and artwork all year.
Castle
Only the northwest wing and the northeast façade remain of the 16th century structure. During the last part of the 19th century, a large part of the castle was destroyed. The Renaissance courtyard, the main staircase and the reception hall, and the frescoes on the piano nobile are all that is left today. In 1983, an earthquake caused considerable damage to the building, making extensive restructuring necessary. Today, guided tours of the castle are held regularly with performers dressed in historic costumes. In the first week of June, the Rocca provides the stage for a traditional Palio of San Secondo, contested among the various contrade of the town, and the theatrical representation of the marriage between Pier Maria III de' Rossi and Camilla Gonzaga, originally celebrated on 13 February 1523.
Art
In the 16th century, the Rossi castle was decorated in extravagant style, with frescoes by the best artists of the time, in order not to appear inferior to the new lords of Parma, the Farnese. Frescoes by Giulio Romano disciples, by Baglione, Sammacchini, Bertoja, Procaccini and Paganino were prominently displayed.
Main artworks include:
- The Hall of Bellerophon. Beyond the courtyard and the main staircase, this grand hall houses the most important equipment for the San Secondo Palio. On the ceiling is a fresco of Bellerophon killing the chimaera, a monster with the heads of a lion, of a dragon and of a goat, representing the fight between Good and Evil.
- The Hall of Justice, completely frescoed by Baglione.
- Aesop’s Gallery and The Hall of Fables show frescoes illustrating popular fables, including "The Fox and the Wild Pig", "The Fox and the Lion", "The Dog and the Rooster" and "The Wolf and the Lamb".
- The Hall of the Golden Donkey has 17 paintings from a Apuleius' Golden Ass. The story runs counterclockwise around the room starting at the bottom strip and concludes at the center of the vault.
Sources
- Guerrieri, Daniela (2006). Castelli del Ducato di Parma e Piacenza. NLF.
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