The building, commissioned in the 12th century by the Da Fogliano family, takes its name from the Boiardo family, who lived there from 1423 to 1560. It was initially built as a defensive fortification, surrounded by walls, a moat with a drawbridge and two watchtowers, one of which was never completed. The building was later converted into a residence during the rule of the Boiardo family in Scandiano from 1423 to 1560. Nicolò dell'Abate, a renowned modenese artist, painted the frescoes in the ‘Camerino’, depicting scenes from the Aeneid, which were transferred to the Estense Gallery in Modena at the end of the 18th century.
Subsequently, the Thiene family resided here from 1565 for 58 years; they made significant changes to the building, giving it its current form. The project was entrusted to Giovan Battista Aleotti. He was responsible for the creation of the elegant staircase leading to the main floor, the magnificent south façade and the completion of the tower on the west side. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Bentivoglio family and then the Marquises of Este introduced Baroque decorations.The numerous modifications that the castle has undergone over the centuries make the structure difficult to understand and interpret, as it blends several styles: medieval (the Pusterla tower at the northern entrance and the lombard bands in the courtyard), Renaissance (the portico in the courtyard) and Baroque (the staircase, mullioned windows, architraves in the courtyard, stucco decorations in the apartment of the Este family). The history of Scandiano and its inhabitants unfolded within the fortress’ walls: the poet Matteo Maria Boiardo was born in a room on the first floor of the building; the great scientist Lazzaro Spallanzani used to carry out his experiments in the basement; the poet Francesco Petrarca, the reformer John Calvin and Pope Paul III were all guests at the castle. Here, on the 10th of October 1796, Scandiano decided to join the Reggiana Republic and supported Napoleon Bonaparte's campaigns in the name of revolutionary values of liberty. On the 11th of March 1800, the plebiscite that sanctioned the annexation of Scandiano to the Kingdom of Sardinia was held in this castle. The fortress is currently undergoing important renovation works, only the gardens and the portico are open to visitors.

How to get to Scandiano

By car: From the A1 motorway - Milan, exit at Reggio Emilia. Follow the road signs for “Reggio Emilia Centro”, “Sassuolo”, and “Scandiano”.

From the A1 motorway - Bologna, exit at the Modena-Nord, take the Via Emilia towards Milan, and follow the road signs for “Reggio Emilia”, “Rubiera”, and “Scandiano”.

By train: From both the north and south, get off at Reggio Emilia station, then take the local train on the Reggio Emilia-Sassuolo line, or you can take the bus (for information: www.actre.it).

By plane: From Bologna Airport (www.bologna-airport.it), take the train to Reggio Emilia, and from there, take the local train to Scandiano or the A1 motorway. From Milan Airport (www.sea-aeroportimilano.it), take the train to Reggio Emilia, or the A1 motorway.

Scandiano is only a few kilometers from many cities in northern and central Italy: 60km from Bologna, 35 from Parma, 20 from Modena, 13 from Reggio Emilia, 180 from the Adriatic Riviera, 160 from Milan, 90 from Ferrara, 155 from Florence, 75 from Mantua, 100 from Piacenza, 95 from Verona.