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A city of Murals: Dozza As the first rays of spring sun begin to peak through
the winter chill, a great destination for history buffs, artists,
and wine enthusiasts beckons in Emilia Romagna: Dozza.
Located 25km south east of Bologna, just off the historic Via Emilia
near Imola, the town offers a wealth of pleasant surprises. From the
regal Rocca Sforzesca castle, to the striking modern murals, from
the soothing hillscapes to delicious wines in the Regional Enoteca,
the village is a feast for the senses. |
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H i s t o r y
The visitor to Dozza will be immediately struck by the Rocca Sforzesca, or Sforza Castle, whose turreted ramparts anchor the landscape. This solid, proportioned fortress underlines the strategic importance of Dozza along the Via Emilia, the ancient artery that for centuries has connected the urban centers of North-Central Italy such as Parma, Modena, Bologna, and Rimini. This roadway carried pilgrims and popes, mercenaries and merchants, kings and clowns across the fertile flatlands of Emilia Romagna. The name Dozza seems to derives from "Ducia" or "Doccia", Latin terms referring to an aqueduct which ran through the area. The proximity to the Via Emilia and to a water source made Dozza a prized possession. Remnants of human settlement include Bronze Age peoples, the Gauls, and the Romans. It was Catherine Sforza, noblewoman of Imola, who decided to resurrect the fortifications of Dozza in the 14th century. The Florentine architect Giorgio Marchesi was put in charge, and he erected the outer bulwarks and prominent central tower of the castle. The outpost was later caught up in territorial disputes of the Campeggi and Malvezzi family, eventually passing to the later. The actual aspect of the fortress bears witness to the transformation from castle to noble residence undertaken by the Malvezzi in 1594.
Rocca Sforzesca
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The
castle is now open to the public for visits, and offers a beautiful
collection of period furnishings and paintings from the 15th and 16th
century. In particular, don't miss the quarters of Pope Pio VII, occasional
guest at the castle who was Pope during the tumultuous years of the
Napoleonic invasions of Europe. Also interesting are the hall of armor
and arms and the "razor well", an effective way to give a
very close shave to undesirable guests. The towers themselves are also
accessible and merit a visit; from their heights one may observe the
lovely hillscapes surrounding Dozza. Here the Apennine Mountains slope
gently down into the fertile fields of Emilia Romagna. And on your way
out, take a look around the kitchen, which conserves many of the creative
and functional tools and utensils that put food on the table in times
past.