Built between 1342 and 1349 according to the wishes of Luchino Visconti, the fortress passed to the Scotti family in 1404, then to Filippo Visconti. In 1466 it became a part of the Sforza family’s estate, in 1707 it was incorporated into the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza. The building consists of two connected parts: a lower rectangular shaped enclosure and a smaller one. The village and the entire complex are dominated by the keep, composed of a series of rooms, built one on top of the other, which communicate by means of a system of steps that lead to the summit From here, it is possible to enjoy a splendid panorama, evidence of the old role of the fortress as the pivot of urban defence and the entire Arda Valley’s surveillance system. The Multimedia Museum of Medieval Life can be found inside.
LOCALITY: Municipality of Castell’Arquato, 33 km from Piacenza
OPENING PERIOD: all year round
OPENING HOURS:
November, December, January, February Saturday and holidays 10am-5pm, weekdays open with guided visit at 10am, 12 noon, 2pm, 4pm; from March to June from Tuesday to Sunday 10am-1pm and 2.30pm-6pm; April and May open also for individual visits on Monday; July and August Saturday and holidays 10am-1pm and 2.30pm-6pm; weekdays open with guided visit at 10am, 12noon, 2pm, 4pm, 5pm; September and October from Tuesday to Sunday 10am-1pm and 2.30pm-6pm. In other days open on reservation for a minimum of 10 persons. Guided visits upon reservation.
PRICE TICKETS:
adults: Euro 3,50 childrens from 6 to 12 years: Euro 2,50 seniores over 65 years: Euro 2,50 Groups (min. 25 persons): Euro 2,50 Schools: Euro 2,50 Childrens from 0 to 6 years: free entry
CONCESSIONS:
reduced price for the possessors of “Card del Ducato” Euro 2,50
PATH OF VISIT: external courtyards, inside of the keep and multimedia museum of medieval life
SERVICES: guided tours in foreign language by booking
Castell'Arquato
