Rocchetta Mattei’s one-of-a-kind fairytale castle

Dear Fellow Adventurers,

As Daniela Uslan, I’m thrilled to recommend the enchanting Rocchetta Mattei, a truly one-of-a-kind fairytale castle nestled in the Apennine Mountains of Italy. This architectural marvel, constructed in the 19th century, blends an eclectic mix of styles including Medieval, Moorish, and Art Nouveau.

Key facts:
• Location: Grizzana Morandi, Bologna, Italy
• Built: 1850-1875
• Architect: Count Cesare Mattei
• Open to public: Since 2015

The castle’s intricate design features ornate domes, winding staircases, and a mesmerizing mix of cultural influences. As you explore its labyrinthine corridors, you’ll discover hidden courtyards and breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

Fun fact: Count Mattei, the castle’s creator, was a pioneer of electrohomeopathy, a controversial alternative medicine practice.

For history buffs, architecture enthusiasts, and dreamers alike, Rocchetta Mattei offers an unforgettable journey into a world where fantasy and reality intertwine. Don’t miss this hidden gem on your next Italian adventure!

Book your visit here.

More than 170 years have passed since the castle first saw the light of day in the heart of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines: it almost seems like a fairy tale place, so much so that it has been chosen several times as a location for chilling movies and novels. We are talking about the Rocchetta Mattei, an evocative manor that mixes different styles, from neo-medieval to Moorish, to give a feeling of majesty and grandeur. Let us explore its history and the grandiose interiors it guards within its walls.

Where is the Rocchetta Mattei

Following the Porrettana highway, which connects the city of Pistoia to upper Emilia Romagna, one can get lost in the fascinating landscape of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. And you may suddenly come across an ancient manor house with a decidedly curious appearance, which undoubtedly invites visitors to discover more. It is Rocchetta Mattei, located in Savignano, in the municipality of Grizzana Morandi (prov. of Bologna). It stands just over 400 meters above sea level, in a truly picturesque position: from its small rocky promontory, in fact, it admires the valleys from which the Limentra and Reno rivers flow together.. A place, moreover, rich in history, since it holds the remains of an ancient fortress that belonged to Frederick the Redbeard and Matilda of Canossa.

The castle of Rocchetta Mattei: the history

We have seen that the site on which Rocchetta Mattei stands. has, among its roots, a long-lived and very fascinating history – also linked to the unforgettable character of Matilda of Canossa. The same cannot properly be said of the castle, which instead dates back to much more recent times. Its ownership belonged to the Count Cesare Mattei, a man of letters and politician who studied medicine for a long time as a self-taught scholar, founding electromeopathy (so much so that he was mentioned by Dostoevsky in his masterpiece The Brothers Karamazov).

Man chose, after careful consideration, this hill. nestled between the peaks of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. for the easy access and isolation provided by the rocky promontory on which the castle was built. The foundation stone was laid in November 1850, and just a few years later Count Mattei established his residence there. Beginning in 1859, the fortress became his permanent home, and it is said that he never left it again. Many were the distinguished guests who welcomed there, starting with Ludwig III of Bavaria and Tsar Alexander II-as well as Umberto II of Savoy.

The castle became a place of care for many personalities, who also came from afar to undergo Count Mattei’s treatments. Upon his death, it was the heirs who managed the Rocchetta, until World War II drove Iris Boriani, then owner of the manor, practically to despair. The bombings heavily damaged the building, so much so that even the municipality of Bologna, to whom the woman tried to donate it for free, refused to accept this gesture. In 1959 came the turning point, thanks to the intercession of Primo Stefanelli.

The man, after purchasing the complex, decided to restore the castle to its original splendor and open it to the public. At the same time, he turned one of the buildings nearby into a hotel with an attached restaurant to attract tourists. However, upon his death (in 1989) the situation plummeted again. With the Rocchetta again closed to the public and increasingly in a state of disrepair, a few years later a committee was born to promote its protection. Thus, in 2000 a museum dedicated to Count Cesare Mattei was established, while in 2006 the Cassa di Risparmio di Bologna Foundation completed the acquisition of the property, initiating restoration work that was completed in 2015.

The interior of the Rocchetta Mattei

The exterior appearance of the Rocchetta Mattei is striking, to say the least: the prevailing style is Moorish, but neo-medieval and modern influences can be seen in later restorations. Inside, a sense of grandeur prevails. A wide staircase leads to the entrance, where a hippogriff appears to stand guard. Here a small staircase opens to the Carolina Loggia, built in the Oriental style. Several rooms inside are definitely worth a visit. Such as the Red Room, which once must have been Count Mattei’s study: a wonderful alcove with painted walls is reminiscent of Marco Bellocchio’s film Enrico IV (starring Claudia Cardinale), which was filmed in these very spaces.

La Hall of Ninety, conceived as a mausoleum dedicated to Queen Victoria, later became a ballroom furnished in Art Nouveau style, with a large oval window paying homage to Cesare Mattei. While the Hall of Oblivion, a small room with wooden decorations on the floor and walls, is supposed to have belonged to the count’s adopted son. From its windows one can admire the Courtyard of the Lions, clearly Spanish-inspired (indeed reminiscent of that of the Alhambra in Granada). At its center, a fountain with four lions and a richly stuccoed portico stand out.

Finally, all that remains is to admire the hall in which the tomb of the count, a true monumental masterpiece made by Minghetti Ceramics in the early 1900s. It is located above the altar of the Chapel (combining Arab-Islamic and medieval Italian architecture), and features splendid majolica tiles depicting stars and constellations, as well as symbols of the Catholic faith, eternity and sleep. Here lies, now for more than a century, the body of Count Mattei, who, at the time of his death, arranged the exact composition of his remains.

How to visit the Rocchetta Mattei

Rocchetta Mattei returned to open to the public in 2015 after extensive restoration work. It can currently be visited on the days indicated in the calendar on the official website, simply by means of reservation that can be made online. The entrance ticket costs 10 euros (with the possibility of reductions if you have the Culture Card), while it is free for children under 6 and costs 5 euros for children aged 6 to 12 and people with disabilities. It is also possible to book exclusive visits by appointment or to participate in the shows and events held periodically at the manor house-which, again by reservation, is also available to host private ceremonies in grand style.