Maybe due the colors of the autumn or to the clouds which surrounded the peaks of the mountains, the valleys and the ancient ruins of the castle, but we were really touched, nearly overwhelmed by the charm of that silent places.
Such a silence that we could quite listen to the passing of the tome.
After the visit to the castle, we moved to visit the old parish church of San Vitale (at about 2.2 ml from the castle), and there the emotions were renewed.

(from photo n. 27 the church of San Vitale)

A short history:
The castle of the Carpinete, nestled on the top of the mount Antognano, towers above the valleys of the Secchia and of the Tresinaro.
It was built in 10th century by Atto Adalberto, an ancestor of the Countess Matilda.
During the reign of Matilda, it was further embattled and became the favorite dwelling place of the Countess.
After Matilda’s death, the control of the castle passed through several families (Torelli, Da Fogliano, Este, Giannini and Valdrighi who were its landlords until 19th century).
It was heavily damaged by a German gunfire during the Second World War.
In 1978 it was purchased by the Province of Reggio Emilia which ordered urgent renovation works.
The church of San Vitale is documented for the first time in 857 and then in an imperial document dated 980.
Reconsecrated and rebuilt in 1105, it was abandoned at half 18th century and an episcopal decree had it demolished in 1754.
Today we can only see the narthex and part of the perimeter wall.
In the area of Reggio, no other church shows artefacts similar to those of San Vitale.

A note:
An easy well signed pathway runs across the ridge, linking the castle to the church with a 1 hour walk

For more info:
Carpinete castle
wikipedia: Castello delle Carpinete
booking visits
pieve san Vitale
Spallanzani path

Canossa castle
Sarzano castle
Rossena castle