Dozza Fortress and fortress Museum

Huge, powerful, yet perfectly coordinated with the rest of the village, the layout of which resembles a ship’s hull. Indeed, everything seems to push, converge and flow (water, wine, people, the vino-scented porticoes and cellars, the smell of good food) towards the massive fortress that dominates from on high.

The Rocca - the meeting point of the two roads that run lengthways through the hamlet - has a hexagonal layout, twin towers and a 530 m perimeter. The current appearance is the result of its conversion into a stately home, completed by the Campeggi family in 1594. After crossing the drawbridge, rebuilt according to historical records, the visitor enters a central courtyard surmounted by two Renaissance-style loggias. This courtyard is now a venue for concerts, shows and wine tastings. On the ground floor is a large kitchen, with fireplaces, wells and a fascinating array of traditional cooking utensils.

The heart of the residence is the main floor; the reception room features 18th century furniture and paintings and opens onto a large terrace. Renaissance and Baroque furnishings, coffered ceilings and a large canvas depicting the Campeggi family in the late 1600s embellish the adjoining room. Further attractions include the Chamber of Pius VII, the weapons room, the razor well, the dungeons, the alcove and the battlement walkways that offer superb views over the valleys and vineyards.

The “Museo della Rocca” is an integral part of the ‘Rocca di Dozza’ historical complex. First and foremost, the Rocca is a museum of itself. It includes works of art and historical furnishings linked to the Campeggi and Malvezzi families who lived there continuously from the 16th century until 1960. This home-cum-museum complex has three main branches: the medieval and Renaissance fortress, the Renaissance residence and the 18th century residence. The museum also houses contemporary art collections linked to the Biennial ‘Painted Wall’ event and includes sketches, archival documents and books from the ‘Centro Studi e Documentazione del Muro Dipinto’ (Painted Wall Study and Documentation Centre).