Rocca Meli Lupi

The Rocca Meli Lupi, also called Rocca di Soragna, is a castle-palace located in the town of Soragno, Province of Parma, region of Emilia-Romagna, Italy. The rough, unfinished exteriors do not match the highly decorated interior rooms.

Facade with lions flanking entrance and corner towers

History

Built in 1361, the castle once belonged to the princes of the Meli Lupi family of Soragna. The castle had corner towers. In 1446, ornamental grapevine frescoes were painted in the ceilings of the courtyard portico. Further reconstructions and expansions occurred through the centuries. The castle is still inhabited by descendants of the Meli Lupi family.

Ground-floor Courtyard portico frescoes depicting grapevines

Only some rooms are open to the public:[1][2]

Baglione's Grotteschi

Donna Cenerina is the nickname attached to Cassandra Marinoni of Milan, wife of Marchese Diofebo II Meli Lupi, who was assassinated in this castle by her brother-in-law Giulio Anguissola in 1573. Legend claims her ghost still haunts the castle.[3]

The gardens of the site include a lake surrounded by grottoes and baroque statuaty. The church of San Giacomo, Soragna is nearby.

References

Coordinates: 44°55′38″N 10°07′21″E / 44.9273°N 10.1224°E / 44.9273; 10.1224

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