The territories of Italian excellence
In Italy there are many wonderful medieval villages where time seems to have stopped, such as Castelvetro di Modena. These lands are known for the production of world-famous excellence such as balsamic vinegar from Modena.
The medieval village is located on the hills in the province of Modena in Emilia Romagna and is the ideal place for those who want to discover the beauty of the Italian territory and to discover its history, culture and traditions. In fact, in this small village there are so many things to do and see. One of the main crops in this area is the vine and the production of wines such as Gasparossa and Trebbiano.
Castelvetro di Modena: what is it and where is it located?
Castelvetro di Modena is a small medieval village nestled in the hills of the province of Modena. It is located in the heart of Emilia Romagna in an area that is famous all over the world for its excellence in the production of food and wine products and also for the presence of the Motor Valley.
These territories have been inhabited since ancient times due to its favorable position that was preferred over the inhospitable northern plains and the high mountains of the Apennines. The most interesting evidence of the ancient past are the Etruscan remains found around the middle of the nineteenth century and that today are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Modena.
What to see in Castelvetro di Modena
Castelvetro di Modena is a medieval village that has much to offer its visitors. The historic center is characterized by the presence of towers and bell towers with green hills that are the background. The village in antiquity was surrounded by walls and today maintains its collected form. The country seems like a treasure chest in which treasures of rare beauty are found.
Walking through the streets of the historic center of Castelvetro di Modena you will meet the massive Tower of prisons, 20 meters high, built around the middle of the 16th century. In the past this tower was used as a prison to be restored and inhabited. Continuing you will reach the heart of the village or Piazza Roma. From here you can admire a wonderful panorama of the plain below.
One of its most striking features is the white and black slabs that form a unique chessboard. In the old town is also another of the symbols of Castelvetro di Modena. It is the charming Clock Tower that represents what remains today of the ancient fortified structure that stood on the east side of the castle. This was built between the 11th and 12th centuries. In the southern part of the tower there is a sundial that marks the passage of time.
Another important building in the village is the Palazzo Rangoni, which was built together with the castle. The first news about its existence dates back to 1564 when it hosted the famous poet Torquato Tasso. The building is characterized by a large entrance with a decorated atrium, an interior courtyard, a staircase and a gallery that connects the two wings of the building.
Castelvetro di Modena: the castle and the wine museum
The municipality of Castelvetro di Modena has a rather extensive territory that also includes other hamlets such as Levizzano where there is a charming castle. This is a fortification that was built as a defensive bulwark during the invasion of the Hungarians at the end of the 9th century. In 2007, major restoration work was carried out to restore this historic building.
Inside the castle is housed the Museo Rosso Graspa dedicated to the history and culture of the territory of Castelvetro and one of its excellences or Lambrusco Gasparossa. Here are collected various testimonies of life in the fields in the period between the two world wars as agricultural tools, tools for woodworking and tools for winemaking. The visit is divided into different processing cycles. In fact, the different exhibition sections are called the Grape Way, the Earth Way and the Wood Way. There are also further stations.
The excellence of the territory of Castelvetro di Modena
The territory of Catelvetro di Modena is famous for the incredible quality of its products of excellence with regard to the food and wine sector. One of the typical products is extra virgin olive oil that is made in small quantities but with an incredible quality.
Another typical local speciality is the nocino. It is a liqueur made from the nuts that are harvested around the end of June. As for the recipes of traditional cuisine of Castelvetre among the most mate are that of tortelloni butter and Salvia and the inevitable tortellini in broth.
The most popular second dishes are the zampone of Modena with mashed potatoes and beans and polenta. Finally, a typical dessert of these territories is the Barozzi cake. This has a secret recipe and is prepared with hazelnuts, almonds, cocoa and other ingredients.
Copertina : Pixabay
