Second Floor

Back in the loggia corridor, up a steep staircase and more rounded steps, we reach the Armigers’ quarters. In the spacious rooms, paved with river pebbles or cocciopesto, resided the troops stationed in the fortress. In ancient times they were equipped with a chimney for heating and a false ceiling designed to defend the occupants from the rigors of the winter seasons, thus creating relatively comfortable environments.

Only in later times, when by then the Panaro ‘sentinel’ had ceased its role and thus permanent troops were no longer needed at the fortress, were many of these rooms used as prisons.