Felino

#191 Castello di Felino
near Felino, Parma, Emilia Romagna, Italy
around 1186 plus 1404 and later
This is NOT an official Lego site

While there are mentions of a fortification on this site as early as the late 9th century, the current structure may in part date back as far as the end of the 12th century, when the Felini family fortified their home during the war between Frederick Barbarossa and the Italian municipalities. The castle passed to the Rossi family in the late 14th century with the marriage of Jacopo Ruggeri's daughter Agnes. The land passed to Jacopo's grandson, Bertrando Rossi, 2nd Count di San Secondo, Signore di Felino and Patrician of Venice, and in 1404 to his son, Sir Pietro Maria I Rossi.

The Rossi family held the Felino lands for over a century, and most of the current castle is attributed to Sir Pietro, the 3rd Count di San Secondo. The castle was considered impregnable, and indeed during the first third of the 15th century, Sir Pietro held his own in Parma against incursions by the Pallavicino, Fieschi and Torelli families. However, in 1483 Ludovico (Sforza) il Moro, later Duke of Milan, a former ally of the Rossi's, seized the castle by force, and destroyed much of Felino's fortifications in order to reduce her military value. The lands were taken by the French army in 1499, and the castle was given by King Louis XII of France to Pietro di Rohan, who sold it in 1502 to the Pallavicino family. They repaired the castle, and held it for almost half a century. The castle and its lands became the property of the Sforzas of Santa Flora by marriage in the mid-16th century, and in 1598 the Sforzas ceded both Felino and Torrechiara to Florentine nobleman, Cosimo Masi.

The castle did not stay long in the Masi family, however. In 1612 the "Conspiracy of Feudal Lords" attempted to oust Ranuccio I Farnese, the reigning Duke of Parma, Piacenza and Castro, who had become a rather despotic ruler. The revolt failed, and Gianbattista Masi, current owner of Felino, was tried and executed, and the Felino lands confiscated. For most of the 17th and 18th centuries the Castello di Felino was residence to various gentry revolving around the Ducal court. There followed a long period of decline, and in the early 1900s Bishop Francesco Magani called Felino "a pile of ruins, bats, owls and mice". The castle was repaired in the mid-20th century, and has been a tourist attraction, restaurant and event venue since the 1960s. It is definitely worth a visit!

Photos of the Lego Model under construction in October-November, 2024

Construction begins on October 21 with the castle laid out on its grassy, dry moat.	By the next day the huge plinths of the four corner towers are approaching the level of the courtyard.	Here's the more complex northeast view featuring the postern door at the level of the bottom of the moat.


As October 22 continues, it's time for the courtyard. First, the 2x2x10 supports.	Then the first set of 2x16x2 beams are added to connect the array of supports.	And the second set of 2x16x2 beams cross the first set, just 6 studs center to center...	...so light gray 6-wide plates can solidly cover the entire courtyard and galleries.


By October 24 the massive splayed plinths are complete on the south tower...	...and the west tower.	The northwest face with its gun- ports, which were often the only "windows" in the lower rooms.	The seven-sided east tower is lagging a bit, due to the more difficult construction.


By the next day there has been major work on the courtyard - looking west...	...and north, as the residential range begins to take shape.	The first view of the drawbridge at the entrance	A detail of the west tower at original wall walk level.	And on October 27, roofing continues until the supply of DBG plates is exhausted.	The castle as it looked at the end of October 27. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!


In the meantime [10-29 +] I began to construct the landscape from base of dry moat to natural terrain level.	Here are three trios of views of that construction as I built it.	The rise to land level is initially defined.


The castle is finally finished on Nov. 17. Here is the front [SW] view. Looking very intimidating!	A friend recently commented "It looks like a prison." Not a bad description of many castles!	The view from the northwest...	....and the north. The deep, dry moat extends all around the entire castle.


The 'back' of Felino, with its postern door.	I took some liberties with the huge east Tower. Was not going to get better in Lego.	The southeast face continues to present formidability!	And we return to the front of this "impregnable" castle. Nice!


Here is a close-up of the drawbridge.	The courtyard, looking to- ward the south tower.	And looking west.	And south, toward the strangely windowless residential range.	The courtyard looking toward the east tower.


Here are details of the embattled wall walks...	...which are just rubble on the modern castle.	They had to be very important in the...	...early centuries of this fortress!


Courtyard view highlighting the tops of the south and gatehouse towers.	The courtyard looking southeast	An 1849 painting of the castle by Alberto Pasini


The steep slope down into the dry moat will be defined on one side only.	It will eventually be at bridge level, of course.	And the slope begins to take shape.


It's going to be a different look as it nears finished height.	I pity the men who dug this huge moat!!	Next: The Castello di Felino!


SW Elevation	NW Elevation	NE Elevation


Cross-section looking NE	Cross-section looking SW