Castello di Carpineti: A Medieval Fortress in Italy

Visitor Information

Google Rating: 4.5

Popularity: Low

Official Website: www.gruppostoricoilmelograno.com

Country: Italy

Civilization: Medieval European

Site type: Military

Remains: Castle

History

The Castello di Carpineti stands in the town of Carpineti, Italy, and was built by medieval Italian powers during the Early Middle Ages. Its strategic location at a high altitude allowed it to oversee important valleys and control surrounding lands.

The fortress’s origins trace back to the 10th century when Atto Adalberto, an important figure connected to the influential Matilda of Canossa, established the initial defensive works. By 1043, the castle was managed by Marquis Bonifacio of Canossa, a vassal of Matilda’s father. During the late 11th and early 12th centuries, the castle gained prominence as a favored residence of Countess Matilda of Canossa. She held significant political gatherings here, including notable councils in 1092 and 1114. Among these was an important meeting with Bishop Eriberto of Reggio, where decisions were taken regarding continued conflict against Emperor Henry IV, reflecting the castle’s role in regional power struggles.

The castle also provided refuge during turbulent times; in 1077, Pope Gregory VII sought shelter within its walls while fleeing Emperor Henry IV. From this sanctuary, the pope issued essential decrees, illustrating the fortress’s dual role as both a military bastion and a center of governance.

Following Matilda’s death in 1115, ownership and control of the castle became disputed among various local powers. Families such as the Da Baiso and Moroello Malaspina’s forces contested the site, while the nearby Comune of Reggio secured allegiances from the inhabitants of Carpineti by 1218. In the late 14th century, the Fogliani family gained possession, partly selling their share in 1385 to the Sessi family. The remaining part stayed with the Fogliani until 1409, at which point the Este family acquired the territory, maintaining control for several centuries.

In 1513, a papal governor granted the castle to Domenico Amorotto, a bandit who had shown loyalty, but this arrangement lasted only about a decade before the Este family reclaimed their hold. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the castle formed part of the feudal estates under successive noble families, including the Marchesi Fontanelli, the Molza family, Count Giannini, and finally the Valdrighi family. Throughout these changes, the fortress remained a notable element within the local structure of power until the eventual decline of feudal lordship in the region.

Remains

The site of Castello di Carpineti is organized around a defensive enclosure composed of two successive walls forming an irregular trapezoidal shape. The fortress’s elevated position at approximately 850 meters above sea level contributes to its strong defensive character, making it difficult to access and well suited for military defense within a network of nearby castles.

A prominent feature at the entrance is a defensive turret, which originally served to guard the main gate and control access. This entrance gateway exemplifies the fortress’s role as a military stronghold designed to protect the inhabitants and withstand attacks.

Close to the castle’s entry lies the small church of Sant’Andrea, built in the Romanesque architectural style and consecrated in 1117 under the commission of Countess Matilda. Although only partial remains survive today, the church once served a religious function for the castle’s community. Its structure suffered damage during World War II, leaving limited fragments of its original form visible.

The castle’s defenses contributed to a three-layered system protecting the Reggiano Apennines. The outermost ring included smaller fortresses between San Polo and Casalgrande, followed by castles near Baiso and Canossa, with Castello di Carpineti forming the innermost and most secure line along with allied strongholds. This strategic arrangement highlights the fortress’s importance in regional security.

Today, the castle stands in a ruined state, but some structural elements remain. The southern tower, along with remnants of the noble residential buildings, can still be seen, offering evidence of the castle’s former extent and complexity. No inscriptions, decorative details, or archaeological finds such as household items or pottery have been documented at the site, and the surviving architecture reflects mainly its defensive purpose and medieval heritage.