Castles and fortresses of Romagna
From the Malatesta to the Sforza, from the Este to the Medici and Venice: Romagna and the lands around it are full of fortresses, from the Po plain up to the crags of Montefeltro. Here you find the ones you can visit, in full or in part, area by area, and the castles that open their doors to weddings and events.
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Bologna and province
Photo: Aneta Malinowska ART, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsRocchetta Mattei
Grizzana Morandi
A fairy-tale castle built from the mid nineteenth century by Count Cesare Mattei, the inventor of electro-homeopathy, on the remains of a medieval fortress: towers, domes and Moorish-style rooms above the Reno valley. Entry by booking only.
Photo: Après-Midyuzzo, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsRocca dei Bentivoglio
Bazzano, Valsamoggia
A Renaissance fortress rebuilt by Giovanni II Bentivoglio at the end of the fifteenth century, with frescoed rooms and a courtyard. It houses the archaeological museum of the Samoggia valley and the foundation that runs the museums of the area.
Photo: AnetaMalinowska, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsBorgo e rocca di Castello di Serravalle
Valsamoggia
A small medieval village on a hill between Bologna and Modena, to explore on foot: the tower of the fortress, a stretch of the walls and the gate remain. The Casa del Capitano houses the Ecomuseum of the hills and wine.
Photo: Nicola Quirico, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsRocca di Pieve di Cento
Pieve di Cento
A medieval fortress at the entrance to the town, built by Bologna to guard the border with the lands of the Este. Entry is free and the rooms open for exhibitions and scheduled visits.
Imola and surroundings
Photo: Vanni Lazzari, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsRocca Sforzesca di Imola
Imola
A medieval fortress reshaped by the Sforza in the fifteenth century and tied to Caterina Sforza, with four round towers and collections of weapons and ceramics. It has been closed for restoration since March 2024: it is expected to reopen by 2027.
Photo: Vanni Lazzari, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsRocca di Dozza
Dozza
A medieval fortress rebuilt by Caterina Sforza and later turned into a noble residence: you visit the furnished rooms, the kitchens and the prisons. The cellars house the Regional Wine Cellar of Emilia-Romagna, and outside is the village with its painted walls.
Torrione Sforzesco di Bubano
Mordano
This is what remains of the fortress strengthened in the late fifteenth century under Caterina Sforza. Inside is a small museum centre on the history of the village; in June it is the setting of the Palio del Torrione.
Photo: LigaDue, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsPalazzo Alidosi
Castel del Rio
A fortified palace begun in 1542 by the Alidosi family, with pointed bastions and a courtyard. It houses the town hall, the Museum of the War and the Gothic Line and the Chestnut Museum. A few steps away is the humpbacked Alidosi bridge.
Photo: Urban38, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsRocca di Tossignano
Borgo Tossignano
Above the upper village of Tossignano stand a few but panoramic ruins of the fortress, destroyed in 1537 and hit again by the war in 1944. You walk up, and the view takes in the Riva di San Biagio, in the Vena del Gesso park.
Ferrara, Comacchio and its beaches
Photo: Nicola Jannucci, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsCastello Estense
Ferrara
The moated castle in the heart of Ferrara, built for Niccolò II d'Este in 1385 and later the palace of the court. You visit the dungeons, the dukes' apartments, the orange garden and the Lions' Tower.
Photo: Terragio67, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsCastello Estense della Mesola
Mesola
The last of the Este country residences, built by Alfonso II d'Este at the end of the sixteenth century at the edge of the Mesola forest: four crenellated towers around a hunting lodge. Inside is the Museum of the Forest and the Deer.
Photo: Nicola Quirico, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsRocca Possente di Stellata
Bondeno
A tower fortress on the bank of the Po, born around the year 1000 and enlarged by the Este with star-shaped walls, which gave the village its name. Restored and reopened in 2025, it can be visited free at weekends and hosts exhibitions and concerts.
Photo: Alice.grussu, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsRocca di Cento
Cento
The fortress at the end of Corso Guercino, with its corner towers and the great entrance tower. It opens for concerts, exhibitions and scheduled events.
Photo: Lepido, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsCastello Lambertini
Poggio Renatico
The castle of the Lambertini family, that of Pope Benedict XIV, in the middle of the town. Damaged by the 2012 earthquake and restored, it can be visited with a guide on set dates: frescoed rooms, old cellars and the view from the tower.
Photo: Biancamaria Rizzoli, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsDelizia Estense del Verginese
Portomaggiore
A country residence of the Este turned into a small castle with four towers in the early sixteenth century, for Laura Dianti, companion of Duke Alfonso I. Around it is the historic garden, inside the Mors Inmatura archaeological museum; guided tours on Sundays.
Photo: Elia, pubblico dominio, Wikimedia CommonsDelizia di Belriguardo
Voghiera
The largest of the Este country residences, built for Niccolò III d'Este in 1435 and called the Versailles of the Este. The surviving rooms house the town museum, with an archaeological section and one on the Renaissance.
Ravenna, Faenza and the coast
Photo: Gennari Alessandro, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsRocca Brancaleone
Ravenna
The fortress built by the Venetians in the mid fifteenth century is now a public park inside the walls. The citadel houses the open-air arena for summer cinema and concerts, reopened in 2026 after the works.
Photo: Gianni Careddu, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsRocca Manfrediana
Brisighella
On one of the three gypsum hills above the village: built by the Manfredi in the fourteenth century and completed by the Venetians in the early sixteenth. From the towers you see the whole Lamone valley.
Photo: Vanni Lazzari, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsTorre dell'Orologio
Brisighella
On the third gypsum pinnacle above the village: born as a small fort in 1290 for Maghinardo Pagani, it was rebuilt in 1850 with its six-hour clock. From the top you see the Rocca, the Monticino and the Lamone valley.
Photo: Vanni Lazzari, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsRocca di Riolo
Riolo Terme
A fourteenth-century fortress in the middle of the spa town, enlarged under Caterina Sforza. It houses the Museum of the Landscape of the Faenza Apennines, with trails designed for children too.
Photo: Marco Campanacci, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsTorre di Oriolo
Faenza
A fifteenth-century hexagonal tower, built for the Manfredi among the vineyards of the Faenza hills. A local association opens it at weekends in the warm season, with evenings, exhibitions and the wines of the area.
Photo: Cinzia Sartoni, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsRocca di Monte Battaglia
Casola Valsenio
The remains of the tower stand on top of the ridge between the Senio and Santerno valleys. Here in 1944 one of the battles of the Gothic Line was fought, remembered by a monument. You reach it on foot and access is free.
Photo: Maddy16869, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsRocca Sforzesca di Bagnara
Bagnara di Romagna
One of the best preserved lowland fortresses, rebuilt in the fifteenth century, at the heart of a village still enclosed by its moat. Inside is the Castle Museum.
Photo: IL PARTICOLARE, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsRocca Estense
Lugo
On the main square, it is the seat of the town hall: of the Este fortress there remain the keep and the hanging garden on the walls. The interiors can be seen on opening days.
Photo: Maddy16869, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsRocca di Russi
Russi
Of the fourteenth-century fortress of the da Polenta, lords of Ravenna, the base of the keep remains, built into the old hospital. The oldest rooms house the town museum, with finds from the Roman villa of Russi.
Photo: Terragio67, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsTorre San Michele
Cervia
A defence tower of 1691 on the canal harbour of Cervia, next to the salt warehouses. Today it houses the tourist office; in summer the panoramic room at the top opens for evening climbs.
Forlì, Cesena and Cesenatico
Photo: AC2BR3L, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsRocca di Ravaldino
Forlì
The fortress of Caterina Sforza, who here withstood the siege of Cesare Borgia between 1499 and 1500. Part of the complex houses the prison: the interior can be visited only on scheduled openings, but the walls and towers can always be seen from outside.
Photo: Otello Amaducci, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsRocca Malatestiana di Cesena
Cesena
On the Garampo hill, above the town centre: one of the largest fortresses in Romagna, with walkways on the walls and the two inner towers called Maschio and Femmina. Guided tours by day and in the evening, concerts in summer.
Photo: Perkele at Italian Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsRocca di Forlimpopoli
Forlimpopoli
A square fourteenth-century fortress that takes up one side of the main square, with four towers and a moat. It houses the archaeological museum and the theatre; this is the town of Pellegrino Artusi.
Photo: Waltre manni, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsRocca di Bertinoro
Bertinoro
On top of the "balcony of Romagna": a thousand-year-old fortress that hosted Frederick Barbarossa and was the seat of the bishops for centuries. Today it is a residential centre of the University of Bologna and houses the Interreligious Museum.
Photo: AlessandroB, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsFortezza di Castrocaro
Castrocaro Terme
On a spur of rock above the spa village, it grew from the Middle Ages to the age of the Medici: the Girone, the Rocca and the Medici Arsenals. Inside is the history museum.
Photo: Sailko, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsTerra del Sole, Palazzo Pretorio
Terra del Sole
A fortress town founded in 1564 by Cosimo I de' Medici, with its walls, bastions and two quarters still intact. On Piazza d'Armi the Palazzo Pretorio houses the Museum of Man and the Environment and the old prisons.
Photo: Crazyfrog58, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsRocca delle Caminate
Meldola
On the ridge between Meldola and Predappio, with a view that reaches the sea. The medieval fortress was rebuilt in the 1920s as Mussolini's summer residence; restored, it can now be visited with its park.
Photo: Diego Baglieri, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsRocca di Meldola
Meldola
The large fortress that overlooks the town is under restoration: it has no regular visits, but it opens for special openings and for events, such as the arts festival in June.
Photo: Perkele at Italian Wikipedia, pubblico dominio, Wikimedia CommonsRocca di Predappio Alta
Predappio
The medieval fortress of the old village, on the hill above Predappio. It opens on scheduled days, often with a visit and an aperitif at sunset.
Photo: Ziapina, pubblico dominio, Wikimedia CommonsCastello di Cusercoli
Civitella di Romagna
The castle stands on a spur of rock sheer above the Bidente river, over the village. Restored, it opens for the events organised by the local Pro Loco.
Photo: Mongolo1984, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsRocca dei Conti Guidi
Dovadola
The fortress of the Guidi counts, with its tall tower, watches over the Montone valley along the road to Florence. Restored, it can be visited on dedicated days.
Photo: Matteo Panzavolta, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsCastello Malatestiano di Longiano
Longiano
The Malatesta castle at the top of the village houses the Tito Balestra Foundation, with a large collection of twentieth-century Italian art. From the terrace you see the plain as far as the sea.
Photo: Maddy16869, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsRocca Malatestiana di Montiano
Montiano
A Malatesta fortress at the top of the village, on the first hills between Cesena and the sea, with a view of the coast. It opens for village events; at Christmas it houses the historic nativity scene.
Photo: Marco Musmeci, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsCastello Malatestiano di Gatteo
Gatteo
A thirteenth-century Malatesta castle in the middle of the town, with the civic tower, a corner tower and restored walls. The courtyard is always open and free; in summer it hosts shows, and part of the wall walk opens on festival evenings.
Tuscan Romagna
Photo: AndreCap80, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsPalazzo dei Capitani
Palazzuolo sul Senio
A fortified palace of the late fourteenth century, with a corner portico and a façade covered in the coats of arms of the Captains of the People sent by Florence. Inside are the Archaeological Museum of the Upper Mugello and the Museum of the Mountain People.
Photo: Luciano Bernardi, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsRocca di Firenzuola
Firenzuola
A fortress built by Florence between 1371 and 1410 in the "new town" guarding the road to Bologna. Today it is the town hall; on the ground floor is the Museum of Pietra Serena, the grey stone of the local quarries.
Rimini and the Riviera
Photo: Oleh Kushch, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsCastel Sismondo
Rimini
The castle that Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta had built from 1437 as residence and fortress, in the centre of Rimini. Today it is one of the venues of the Fellini Museum.
Photo: Alice.grussu, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsCastello Benelli
Bellaria-Igea Marina
A nineteenth-century castle built on the foundations of a medieval fortress, at Bordonchio, and owned by the Benelli family since 1917. With its park it can be visited on dedicated dates, with a guide; it hosts weddings and events.
Photo: Stefano Bolognini, Attribution, Wikimedia CommonsTorre Saracena
Bellaria-Igea Marina
A watchtower built in 1673 against pirates, now in a park a few steps from the sea. It houses the Shell Museum and opens free of charge on summer evenings.
Photo: Diego Baglieri, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsRocca Malatestiana di Montefiore
Montefiore Conca
The square bulk of the fortress can be seen from the sea and overlooks the Conca valley. It was a residence of the Malatesta: inside are fourteenth-century frescoes and from the top you look over the whole Riviera.
Photo: Chiari86, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsRocca Malatestiana di Mondaino
Mondaino
The Malatesta fortress stands at the top of the village with the semicircular square. It is the seat of the town hall and houses the palaeontological museum, with the fossil fish found in the hills around.
Photo: Carciups, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsCastello Malatestiano di Coriano
Coriano
Of the Malatesta castle there remain the gate, the walls and the courtyard, on the hills behind Riccione. Inside is a small antiquarium, and in summer the courtyard hosts exhibitions and evenings.
Photo: Alice.grussu, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsCastello degli Agolanti
Riccione
A fourteenth-century residence of the Florentine Agolanti family, on the hill behind Riccione. Restored, it opens for exhibitions, shows and festivals in the garden.
Marecchia Valley
Photo: Giacomozanni, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsRocca Malatestiana di Verucchio
Verucchio
The Rocca del Sasso, on the highest spur of the town: the fortune of the Malatesta began here. The view runs from the sea to Montefeltro.
Photo: Renardo la vulpo, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsRocca Malatestiana di Santarcangelo
Santarcangelo di Romagna
At the top of the village, the Malatesta fortress is a private home, lived in by the family that owns it. Guided visits are currently suspended, as the official site says: the castle opens for events and private dinners and has two suites in the towers.
Photo: Carlo Pelagalli, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsCastello di Montebello
Poggio Torriana
Above the Marecchia valley, it has belonged to the family of the Guidi di Bagno counts since 1463. It can be visited only with a guide, by day and in the evening: the castle is famous for the legend of Azzurrina, the little girl who vanished in 1375.
Photo: Pelekano, pubblico dominio, Wikimedia CommonsRocca di Torriana
Poggio Torriana
The fortress of old Scorticata, on a spur above the Marecchia valley. It can only be seen from outside, but it keeps its gate, the two round towers, part of the walls and the keep; from the square the view runs from the coast to Mount Titano.
Photo: Bruno Rijsman, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia CommonsFortezza di San Leo
San Leo
On top of a sheer crag, redesigned in the fifteenth century by Francesco di Giorgio Martini. It was a papal prison: Count Cagliostro died here in 1795, and his cell can still be visited.
Photo: Goldmund100, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsRocca Fregoso
Sant'Agata Feltria
Perched on a boulder of rock above the village, it looks as if it came out of a picture book. Inside is the Rocca delle Fiabe, a museum devoted to the world of fairy tales, designed for children.
Photo: PercyFulton, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsRocca di Maioletto
Maiolo
The ruins of one of the hardest fortresses of the valley to take, on a raft of rock above the clay. The village below vanished in the landslide of 1700. You reach it on foot only, by a path of about an hour.
San Marino
Photo: Max_Ryazanov, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsPrima Torre, la Guaita
San Marino
The oldest and largest of the three towers of Mount Titano, with a core from the eleventh century. You walk on the walls and climb up to the bell, with the Riviera and Montefeltro below your feet.
Photo: Commonists, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsSeconda Torre, la Cesta
San Marino
On the highest peak of Mount Titano, documented since 1253. Since 1956 it has housed the Museum of Ancient Weapons, with about 700 pieces. From the path you see the third tower, the Montale, which cannot be visited.
Montefeltro
Photo: Il conte di Luna, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia CommonsRocca Ubaldinesca
Sassocorvaro Auditore
A turtle-shaped fortress designed by Francesco di Giorgio Martini for Ottaviano Ubaldini. During the Second World War it hid thousands of masterpieces of Italian art: today it is the Arca dell'Arte museum, which tells the story of that rescue.
Photo: Limoncellista, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsRocca di Monte Cerignone
Monte Cerignone
The fortress at the top of the medieval village, reworked in the Renaissance. It houses the historical archive and exhibition rooms; from the walls the view sweeps over Montefeltro.
Photo: Limoncellista, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsCastello dei Conti Oliva
Piandimeleto
The fifteenth-century castle of the Oliva counts, in the middle of the town on the Foglia. Inside are the Museum of Rural Work, the Museum of Earth Sciences and the collection of the coats of arms of the nobles who frequented the palace.
Photo: Germano Perugini, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsPalazzo dei Principi
Carpegna
The residence of the princes of Carpegna, still owned by the family, one of the most imposing buildings of Montefeltro. It is visited with a guide, by booking.
Photo: Claudio Caravano, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsFortezza Albornoz
Urbino
The fourteenth-century fortress on the highest point of Urbino, built for Cardinal Albornoz. Around it is the Parco della Resistenza, with the finest view of the Ducal Palace; the upper part of the fortress opens in spring and summer.
Pesaro, Fano and the Marche coast
Photo: Enrico90p, pubblico dominio, Wikimedia CommonsRocca di Gradara
Gradara
Just over the border with the Marche, a few kilometres from Cattolica: the castle of Paolo and Francesca, a State museum, with its village enclosed by two rings of walls and the walkways along them.
Photo: Viaggiamocela, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsRocca Roveresca
Mondavio
A masterpiece of military architecture by Francesco di Giorgio Martini for Giovanni Della Rovere, finished around 1492. Inside are the armoury and the reconstructed rooms of the historical re-enactment museum; in mid August a festival with a Renaissance banquet.
Photo: Albypino7, CC0, Wikimedia CommonsRocca Malatestiana di Fano
Fano
The fifteenth-century Malatesta fortress guarding the coast, where Garibaldi stopped in 1848. Entry is free; in summer the courtyard hosts concerts and shows.
Photo: Diego Baglieri, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsRocca Costanza
Pesaro
The fortress with four round towers and a moat begun by Costanzo Sforza in 1474, later a prison until 1989. It is being restored to house the State Archive and a museum: for now you get in only with the summer guided tours.
Castles for weddings and events
Private castles that are not museums: they open for receptions, dinners and business meetings, often with a restaurant and rooms. For the castles to visit that also rent their rooms, use the Weddings and events filter.
Photo: Mongolo1984, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsCastello del Capitano delle Artiglierie
Terra del Sole
A Medici residence inside the fortress town of Terra del Sole, once the seat of the commander of the artillery. Today it hosts weddings, private parties, business meetings and concerts, with a restaurant and a few suites.
Quel Castello di Diegaro
Cesena
A historic inn on the first hills of Cesena: restaurant and pizzeria, suites for the night, frescoed rooms, a park and a terrace for weddings, ceremonies and business events.
Photo: Enealuigifrancesco, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsCastello di Ribano
Savignano sul Rubicone
Built in 1580 as the summer residence of the monks of Classe, half fortress and half convent, it is the home of the Spalletti Colonna di Paliano winery. Among vineyards and cypresses it hosts weddings, dinners and meetings.
Photo: Toni Pecoraro, pubblico dominio, Wikimedia CommonsCastello Marcosanti
Poggio Torriana
A medieval castle fortified by the Malatesta at Poggio Berni, with a view of San Marino, the Marecchia valley and the sea. Tonino Guerra called it the "castle of weddings": receptions, events and rooms for the night.
Photo: Mara Renzini, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsCastello di Albereto
Montescudo-Monte Colombo
A fortified Malatesta hamlet on the hills of Montescudo, with the sea on the horizon. Inside the walls is a restaurant, which also hosts weddings and receptions.
Photo: Buimichele, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsCastello di Montegridolfo, Palazzo Viviani
Montegridolfo
A walled village on the border with the Marche, among olive trees and vineyards. Palazzo Viviani and the houses of the village form a scattered hotel, with rooms and gardens for weddings, banquets and business meetings.
Opening days, hours, tickets and availability for events change with the season and with restoration works: always look at the official site before you go. The information comes from the sites of the castles and of the towns, from the regional catalogue of the castles of Emilia-Romagna and from the official tourist sites of the provinces and parks.
To the castle without worries
From your hotel or the airport to the fortress, and back: for a visit, a ceremony or a group of guests, with a chauffeured transfer.