{"id":27389,"date":"2018-10-29T11:35:45","date_gmt":"2018-10-29T10:35:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.roccadivignola.it\/history\/"},"modified":"2026-03-06T17:54:52","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T16:54:52","slug":"history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.roccadivignola.it\/en\/the-fortress\/history\/","title":{"rendered":"History"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1677261377908{padding-top: 4em !important;padding-bottom: 2em !important;}”][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-offset-1 vc_col-xs-10″][vc_column_text el_class=”text-bigger”]The building site of the Fortress of Vignola<\/strong> traverses the history of the city and the territory, accompanying and representing its transformations, evolutions and contradictions: A military building and good government at the same time, a place of civil power but rich in spiritual connotations, the Fortress represents a living and speaking testimony to the history of the city of Vignola.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]

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\n\t\t\t\t\t8th century<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tThe first documentation \n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
According to tradition, the construction of a fortified structure on the site of the historic center of Vignola dates back to this period.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t826<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tFirst quote from Vignola\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
Vignola is mentioned in a document from Nonantola.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t945<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tSiege of Hugh of Provence \n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
The castle of Vignola was besieged by Hugh of Provence, King of Italy, during the war against Berengar. Three years later, Lothair II became the new King of Italy and resided briefly in Vignola. The castle's importance was confirmed in 968, when Guido, Bishop of Modena, stayed there.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t1109<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tMatilda of Canossa\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
In early November, Matilda of Canossa, Countess of Tuscany and supporter of the Papacy in the Investiture Controversy, resides in Vignola.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t1168<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tCastle village\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
Episcopal documents note the presence of a village within the castle of Vignola. Around this time, excavation of the San Pietro canal began, entrusted to the Benedictine monks of the San Pietro monastery in Modena.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t1178<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tBishop's Palace\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
The first known document attesting to the existence of the Fortress of Vignola dates back to this year. Records from the early 13th century describe the presence of a bishop's palace within the castle of Vignola.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t1227<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tMunicipality of Modena\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
Bishop Guglielmo cedes control of Vignola to the Municipality of Modena.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t1228<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tAlberto da Mangone\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
After a siege led by Count Alberto da Mangone, the Castle of Vignola fell into the hands of the Bolognese, who returned it to the Municipality of Modena the following year.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t1239<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tThe failed siege\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
The new siege of Vignola by the Bolognese Guelphs fails due to the fierce resistance of the Modena troops.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t1247<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tThe fire and the new residence\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
During the conflicts between the Bolognese Guelphs, supporters of the Papacy, and the Modenese Ghibellines, allies of the Empire, the Fortress of Vignola was burned by King Enzo, son of Emperor Frederick II. Gherardo Grassoni rebuilt the fortress and took up residence there.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t1331<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tChange of power\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
After a series of shifting events, the Municipality of Modena removed the Grassoni family from control of the Castle of Vignola.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t1336<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tThe House of Este\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
Obizzo III d\u2019Este, lord of Ferrara, assumed the lordship of Modena, extending his rule over Vignola. The Grassoni family was excluded from local governance.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t1362-1370<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tThe struggle between the Papacy and the Viscontis.\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
Vignola became involved in the conflict between the Papacy and the Visconti over control of the Bolognese territory. Bernardino Grassoni and his brother Ubertino attempted to hand Vignola over to Bernab\u00f2 Visconti, but their attempt failed.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t1396-1399<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tGiovanni da Barbiano\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
The castle and the Rocca were seized from the Este family by the condottiero Giovanni da Barbiano, with the support of members of the Grassoni family. Three years later, Vignola returned under the lordship of Nicol\u00f2 III d\u2019Este.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t1401<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tUguccione Contrari\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
Nicol\u00f2 III granted the fortress and the territory of Vignola as a fief to the Ferrarese nobleman Uguccione Contrari.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t1420<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tThe fortified residence\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
Around this date, the expansion and transformation of the fortress from a military building into a fortified noble residence were completed. Work had begun around 1410.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t1430<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tSummer Residences\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
From this year onward, Marquis Nicol\u00f2 III spent short periods at the Rocca during the summer.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t1448<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tThe new defensive wall\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
Uguccione Contrari died. Construction began on a new, larger defensive wall around the castle of Vignola, which was completed in the second half of the 15th century<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t1453<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tThe County of Vignola\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
Duke Borso d\u2019Este elevated the fief of Vignola to a County, granting Ambrogio and Nicol\u00f2 Contrari, sons of Uguccione, the title of Counts.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t1507<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tJacopo Barozzi\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
Giacomo Barozzi (1507-1573) was born in Vignola. Known as 'Il Vignola', he became one of the most prominent architects and theorists of perspective of his time. His work remains a key reference in the development of Western architecture.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t1518<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tThe Papal Occupation\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
Vignola was occupied for a time by Papal troops and granted to Count Guido Rangoni. In 1527, the castle and its fief returned to the Este family and to Diana d\u2019Este Contrari.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t1555<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tThe Covering of the Walkways\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
The Contrari family had the walkways of the Fortress roofed over.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t1557<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tThe Spanish threat\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
The kitchens and other buildings on the northeastern side of the Fortress were demolished to face the threat posed by the artillery of Odoardo Farnese and the Spanish forces.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t1560<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tExpansions\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
Work began on the expansion and transformation of the Contrari palace in Vignola, designed by Giacomo Barozzi.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t1575<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tThe Marquisate of Vignola\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
Alfonso II d'Este, Duke of Ferrara, elevated Vignola to a marquisate, granting Ercole Contrari the Younger the title of Marquis. A few months later, following his assassination, the fief returned for two years to Este control.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\"The\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t1577<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tGiacomo Boncompagni\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
Alfonso II d'Este sold the feudal investiture of the Marquisate of Vignola to Giacomo Boncompagni, legitimate son of Pope Gregory XIII. Between 1588 and 1620, the new feudal lords carried out significant restoration work on the Fortress.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t1643<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tRaimondo Montecuccoli\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
In June, during the War of Castro, Vignola surrendered to the papal troops of the Barberini family, subsequently Raimondo Montecuccoli, commander of the imperial troops, oversaw the strengthening the town's defenses.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t1672<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tLodovico Antonio Muratori\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
Lodovico Antonio Muratori (1672-1750) was born in Vignola, a historian, scholar and librarian, he is considered above all the father of modern historiography.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t1691<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tThe Lowlands Consortium\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
The Lowlands Consortium was established to protect the territory, the castle, and the Fortress of Vignola from floods and river erosion.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"The\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Foreign\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t1743-1754<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tForeign Troops\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
Between 1691 and 1745, Vignola and its fortress were quartered by foreign troops, who damaged the fortress. Around 1743, restoration work on the Fortress began.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t1796<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tThe abolition of feudal government\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
With the arrival of the French, feudal government was abolished, and the Boncompagni Ludovisi family's assets, including the fortress, were confiscated. The noble family regained possession of the building only after several years.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"The\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Giuseppe\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t1859-1860<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tGiuseppe Garibaldi and Francesco Selmi\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
In 1859, Giuseppe Garibaldi and Francesco Selmi (1817-1881) from Vignola led the insurrection against Austro-Este power. Selmi was one of the main architects of Italian unification.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t1874<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tThe Bank Cassa di Risparmio\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
The Fortress of Vignola hosted the newly established Cassa di Risparmio.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"The\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"The\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t1901<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tThe Town Hall\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
The rooms of the Fortress were rented to the Municipality of Vignola.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t1904<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tBodo Ebhardt\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
Bodo Ebhardt, architect to the German Emperor, carried out surveys of the Fortress which were later included in his important publication on Italian castles, commissioned by the sovereign.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Bodo\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Italian\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t1906<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tItalian Monumental Buildings\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
The Fortress of Vignola was included in the official list of Italian monumental buildings.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t1907<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tThe rediscovered frescoes\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
The frescoes decorating the halls and the Chapel of the Fortress were discovered, and the first restoration work began.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"The\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"The\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t1910<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tThe Magistrate's Court of Vignola\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
Some rooms of the Fortress were rented to the Ministry of Justice to house the Vignola Court of Justice.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t1915-1920<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tA Shelter for the Population\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
During the First World War and the immediate post-war period, the fortress hosted troops and homeless families.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"A\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"World\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t1945<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tWorld War II\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
During World War II, the fortress was used to imprison first the partisans and later Fascist officials.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t1965<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tThe Cassa di Risparmio di Vignola Bank\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
The Cassa di Risparmio di Vignola acquired ownership of the Fortress.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"The\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Fondazione\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t1998<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tFondazione di Vignola\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
The Fondazione di Vignola became the owner of the fortress. Today, by statute, it oversees its optimal management and enhancement.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1677261377908{padding-top: 4em !important;padding-bottom: 2em !important;}”][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-offset-1 vc_col-xs-10″][vc_column_text el_class=”text-bigger”]The building site of the Fortress of Vignola traverses the history of the city and the territory, accompanying and representing its transformations, evolutions and contradictions: A military building and good government at the same time, a place of civil power but rich in spiritual connotations, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":27431,"parent":27533,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-27389","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHistory - Rocca di Vignola<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The construction site of the Vignola Fortress traverses the history of the city and the territory, representing its transformations, evolutions and contradictions.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.roccadivignola.it\/en\/the-fortress\/history\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"History - 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