The imposing stronghold, towering above the Tidone and Chiarone valleys, is one of the oldest of the Piacenza area.
Nestled on a sandstone rock at about 560 meters above sea level, it is defended by as many as six baileys and harmoniously joins the medieval and Renaissance frames.

Just the view from the communication trenches deserves a visit: the landscape stretches on the Po valley and in the clear day up to the Monte Rosa.

A short history:
Legend has it that the stronghold was founded in 6th century (or 5th century) by Giovannato Miles, the father of the Saints Liberata and Faustina.
The first certain evidence dates back to the 1037 document, in which the Bishop Curia remised the stronghold to the Saint Savino monks.

In 1378 Gian Galeazzo Visconti assigned the stronghold and the fief to Jacopo dal Verme, mercenary commander.
Apart from some short breaks due to the historical upheavals, the stronghold remained under the Dal Verme dominion until the extinction of the family at half ‘800.

Stripped of the original furnishings during the several changeovers of property, it fell into decay.
During the 2nd World War it was the base of the 2nd partisan division and was attacked by the German army who destroyed some parts.
After the war it was even transformed in a pheasant farming.

And we are grateful to the Bengalli family for his intelligence, culture, continuous efforts and self-denial: in 1979 they purchased the stronghold and succeeded in restoring it to its former beauty.

So once again a private citizen succeeded in preserving a heritage now open to the public.

For more info:
www.roccadolgisio.it (EN)
wiki Rocca_d'Olgisio