Vignola is dominated by its castle,
strategically located where the Panaro leaves the hills for the
plain in order to control the ancient via Claudia, which led towards
Bologna. This massive building is the sum of a number of different
parts which have grown up over time, starting from the X Century.
It is dominated by the Donne, Pennello and Nonantola towers,
the last the only one built mainly of stones taken from the nearby
riverbed and not of brick. The exterior reflects the defensive
purpose of the castle, with a large moat, a succession of battlements,
doors and the imposts to which chains used to be attached indicating
where drawbridges used to be, and the rampart walkway which links
the towers. Inside, the castle's residential character is more
obvious. Low down, the sala dei Contrari and sala
dei Grassoni are now used for conferences and concerts, while
the rooms on the ground floor are known as the Lion, Leopard,
Dove and Ring (Leoni, Leopardi, Colombe and Anelli) rooms,
after the motifs in the frescoes on the walls. The state rooms
are on the ground floor, with the Studio and the Chapel, frescoed
in late Gothic style by the Maestro di Vignola.
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