Rocchetta Mattei is one of the most extravagant castles to be found in Italy: a true jewel nestled in the Apennine mountains and a good reason to visit Emilia Romagna!
This magical place is well worth a visit and in this article we will give you some useful information to plan your trip to Rocchetta Mattei!
Italy is famous for its villages and beautiful places hidden among its mountains and hills. Rocchetta Mattei is definitely on this list and is a unique place where, although you are in Italy, you feel like you are in Spain or Morocco.
If you are planning a day trip out of town, this is the place for you: visiting Rocchetta Mattei is a very special and interesting experience, and after your visit you could take the opportunity to go for a nice walk in the enchanting Bolognese Apennine mountains or enjoy a good meal in one of the many agritourisms in the area. Here are some tips for planning a visit to this fairytale castle in Italy!
Rocchetta Mattei was founded in 1800 on the ruins of an ancient medieval villa, at the behest of Count Cesare Mattei. The Count was a very special person who, after the various vicissitudes he had experienced in Bologna, decided to retire to this castle in the Apennine mountains to devote himself, body and soul, to his true passion: medicine and, in particular, electromeopathy. In this field he had considerable success, both in Italy and abroad (so much so that he is mentioned by Dostoyevsky in his novel The Brothers Karamazov), and his studies were continued by his heirs.
When Cesare Mattei died, the villa was sold to the wife of a local merchant, but it remained uninhabited since the 1980s. After 20 years of neglect, the Fondazione Carisbo bought the castle in 2005 with the intention of restoring it and making it accessible to the public. The official inauguration took place in 2015.
The castle was often modified by Count Cesare Mattei, who over time added towers, staircases and hidden passages to create the castle as we see it today: a fascinating labyrinth that winds through Renaissance rooms, open spaces reminiscent of Spanish patios and Moorish towers.
Inner courtyard
The Rocchetta Mattei is located in the heart of the Bolognese Apennines, near the villages of Riola and Ponte. The landscape in which the castle is located is splendid, immersed in the green woods that cover the Apennine mountains.
The most convenient way to reach this place is definitely by car, as it is about an hour’s drive from Bologna and 1 1/2 hours from Florence. From both Bologna and Florence, take the SS64, also known as “La Porrettana”, and when you get to Riola, take the SP62, which leads to Rocchetta Mattei.
The castle does not have its own parking lot; there are a few spots along the road, so it is advisable to arrive a little early to avoid wasting time looking for a parking space.
The alternative to driving is to take the regional train from Bologna to Riola station and then take bus 963, which stops right at Rocchetta Mattei. The train ride from Bologna takes about an hour, and trains to Riola leave every hour or so. The ticket costs about €5.
The Courtyard of the Cyons
View of the tower and the Courtyard of the Lions
The ticket can be purchased online at the official website of Rocchetta Mattei, which you can find at this link.
The full cost of the ticket is €10, while there are discounts for those arriving by train (€7) and for people with disabilities and children between the ages of 6 and 12 (€5). Children under the age of 6 are free.
Reservations are required, so tickets cannot be purchased on site.
We recommend that you book your visit and purchase your tickets online a little in advance, as the castle can only be visited by guided tour and there are limited places available.
If you are unable to purchase tickets online, you can contact Rocchetta Mattei by email or phone. Follow this link for more information.
Photography is allowed inside the castle.
It is not possible to bring animals, strollers, food and drinks.
Rocchetta Mattei is also accessible for people with reduced mobility, as there are elevators.
As we just mentioned, Rocchetta Mattei is accessible only by guided tour.
The tour starts from the inner courtyard, via a Moorish-style entrance, which will already catapult you into the magical world of this castle. The central courtyard is a large open space on which you can see all the architectural styles that characterize the rocchetta.
The visit continues in the interior and upper rooms of Rocchetta Mattei including:
The entrance of the castle
The Hanging Garden
The Chapel
With this article we hope to have provided you with useful information for planning your visit to the magical Rocchetta Mattei! It is important to promote the heritage of our country, because it is a unique jewel in the world, and our visits help to preserve these important places. Stay updated through the newsletter and social channels and as always… trip to try!
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