Imposing and majestic it stands up in the town center.
Full of frescoes partly restored by the municipality and partly neglected by the private proprietors (the last three photos refer to the Palatine Chapel, in a terrible state).
It is desirable that some authority could intervene.

The stronghold is surrounded by a splendid park, the “Giardino del Melograno “ (the “Pomegranate Garden”), restored in 2009 following the eighteen-century original plan.

In the stronghold cellars the Wine Museum has been fitted in 2014.
Don’t’ forget that Sala Baganza is a country of the Malvasia wine.

A short history:
It was a possession of the Sanvitale family (Fontanellato castle), from 1254 for over 300 years.
The Sanvitale transformed the building part in a residence and part in a powerful fortress.
In 1612 the stronghold fell into the Farnese domain.
When the Ducky of Parma was taken over by the Napoleonic Empire at the beginning of 1800, it was assigned to Michele Varron, who ordered the demolition of the south, east and west wings, and the building assumed the present aspect.
After many changeovers of property, the stronghold was partially purchased by the municipality of Sala Baganza, which provided for various important restorations, and among them the very important earth-quake proof works.

And here is the sore point: the private part, unsafe after the 2008 earth-quake, is completely neglected and there is the great risk that a new earth-quake could destroy this part together with the restored one.

Update:
the Municipality of Sala Baganza, thanks to an agreement with the owners, has started restoration and consolidation works on the Grand Staircase and the Palatine Chapel
From November 2017 these three rooms will be open to visitors.

For more info:
rocca Sanvitale