At
Monticelli D’Ongina you can visit the “Rocca” (fortress),
one of the most impressive defensive buildings in the Piacenza
area.
The Rocca was built by Rolando Pallavicino the Magnificent
at the beginning of the 15th century, after the acquisition
of the large estate of Monticelli; he wanted the fortresss
to be mighty and imposing in shape, suitable to become a military
defence. After his death the fortress, left unfinished, was
completed by his son Carlo, arcibishop of Lodi, who made it
his summer residence. In the second half of the 15th century,
the estate passed to the noble family of the Casali marquess;
they remained the masters of the place till the end of feudalism.
The Casali marquess lived at la Rocca of Monticelli till 1957
when the historic building was purchased by the Church of San
Lorenzo. Today the monument is one of the largest to be found
in the lower Po Valley and is entirely built in baked bricks.
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