Audioguide Rocca Vignola [ENG]

Audioguide by eArs Uguccione's Study Located in the heart of Nonantola Tower, the lord of the castle used this cosy, intimate room as a study. The letter U, which is the initial of the name Uguccione, appears as a seal in splendid Gothic script on the keystone. The vault ribs still bear traces of the original laurel leaf decoration. If you concentrate, you can even imagine Uguccione in his buen re...

Audioguide by eArs Hall of Coats of Arms All those who had the privilege of Uguccione Contrari's presence would certainly have stood under the vaults of this large hall, which is where the lord of the castle granted private audiences. As if it were necessary to once again assert ownership of these spaces without a shadow of a doubt, the walls and ceiling are entirely covered with the family’s coat...

Audioguide by eArs Hall of Dogs Quiet, please; you’ve just entered a painted forest. You are standing in the Hall of Dogs inside Pennello Tower. In fact, you can see some hunting dogs among the trees on the two walls flanking the door. While one greyhound is in hot pursuit of a hare, the others are depicted facing each other, looking like they’re about to charge. So you could say that they’re one...

Audioguide by eArs Pavilion Hall and Ladies' Hall We hope you’re wearing your best clothes, because you’re about to attend... a wedding. Take a look around you. You’ll find yourself immersed in a walled garden, with the canopy of tall trees standing out above the walls. The most beautiful flower of all bloomed in this delightful place reserved for the lords of Vignola: the love between Uguccione's...

Audioguide by eArs Contrari Chapel You are now standing in the Contrari Chapel, a true jewel of late Gothic art. The painting cycle here was commissioned around 1425, but the name of the artist is still unknown today. Direct your gaze up to the vault. The four sail vaults depict the Evangelists. Among them, you can recognise John from the beginning of his Gospel, who is using the skill of a scribe...

Audioguide by eArs Barozzi Hall Narrator: In this hall, we want to leave you in the hands of a special guide honouring us with his illustrious presence. Jacopo Barozzi: Greetings to you, scholarly visitors! My name is Jacopo Barozzi, have you heard of me? No? Perhaps because I'm known in history by my nickname. Here's a clue: the name comes from the city where I came to light in the anno domini 15...

Audioguide by eArs Hall of Rings If you look around when you reach this room, you'll notice that the walls are covered with hundreds of diamond rings. That's why this space was known as the 'Diamond Room' in the mid-15th century. If you can't precisely distinguish them, it might help you to know that the rings are intertwined in groups of three, creating a knot called a 'triquetra', with the diamo...

Audioguide by eArs Hall of Doves Admire the spectacular flight of doves in this hall. Can you count how many there are? An impressive 227, depicted everywhere on the walls. These white birds - the quintessential symbol of purity and gentleness, as well as of the presence of the Holy Spirit - are painted on alternating blue and red medallions. They invite viewers to rise through their thoughts and...

Audioguide by eArs  Hall of Lions and Leopards You have just crossed the threshold of the Hall of Lions and Leopards: official receptions and banquets have been held here since the 15th century. The depictions you see all around you are called 'heraldic deeds': they include symbols, accompanied by mottos, used to represent a person, a family or to commemorate a specific historical event. Let us lo...

Audioguide by eArs  Inner Courtyard: Architecture of the Fortress You may already be looking up! Indeed, it's impossible to enter the inner courtyard of the fortress without being astonished by the mighty buildings that form it, creating a complex fortified structure that however has a well-balanced layout. Take a look at the walls: you'll immediately notice that from the ground to about halfway u...

Audioguide by eArs Brief History of the Fortress Welcome to the Fortress of Vignola. Don't be intimidated by the austerity of the walls; the castle will reveal its secrets to you little by little, letting you experience the atmosphere of past centuries first-hand. The fortress stands in a strategic position towering over the flow of the Panaro River, with views of the Apennines: an important cross...