On Saturday, 26 September, the Rocca di Vignola will be open to the public with free admission as part of the European Heritage Days 2026, an initiative promoted by the Council of Europe and the European Commission and coordinated in Italy by the Ministry of Culture.

The Rocca will be open to visitors free of charge from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., offering the opportunity to discover one of the Modena area’s most important historic and architectural landmarks, as well as its interiors, which tell the story of more than eight centuries of history.

The earliest documentary records of the Rocca date back to the 12th century, with the first known reference dating to 1178. At the beginning of the 15th century, with the arrival of Uguccione Contrari, to whom Vignola was granted as a fief in 1401, the ancient fortified structure underwent a major transformation, gradually taking on the character of a noble residence.
This period left a particularly significant heritage of architecture and decorative art, from the frescoed rooms and the interiors of the piano nobile to the Contrari Chapel, whose painted cycle was created around 1425 and is considered one of the most important examples of Late Gothic art in northern Italy.

Since 1998, the Rocca has been owned by the Fondazione di Vignola, which oversees its management, conservation and enhancement, promoting its heritage and accessibility through cultural activities and guided tours.

The theme chosen for the European Heritage Days 2026 is “Protecting Heritage. Renew, Resist, Reinvent”. It invites reflection on the protection of cultural heritage, the threats that may endanger its preservation, and the ability of places, heritage sites and traditions to be preserved, renewed and passed on to communities.
The Rocca’s free admission is part of this initiative, offering everyone the opportunity to spend a day discovering its history, its interiors and the artistic heritage it preserves.

The Rocca di Vignola will be open to the public free of charge Saturday, 26 September 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.. Last admission is one hour before closing.

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For information:
info@roccadivignola.it
Tel.: 059 775246
www.roccadivignola.it