Rocca de' Baldi, a small medieval town in the Cuneo province, on the spur where the Pesio and Pogliola rivers meet, was defended by its ancient castle and the deep Tagliata moat. Founded by Ubaldo, of the lords of Morozzo, in the 13th century, it was initially just a tower and an adjacent building, needed for protection against Saracens incursions, which became more and more dangerous. In fact, the oldest part of Rocca de' Baldi Castle probably dates from the late twelfth century and includes the crenellated tower once called "Torre Dell'Agnese".
Due to its strategic location - being an excellent military base against Mondovi, the region endured several sieges and rulers. Rocca de Baldi was occupied by the Monferrato, the Visconti of Milan, by Achaia, by Monregalesi, and Bolleri. After being burnt and sacked by Spanish troops in 1543, it was rebuilt and enlarged, and enfeoffed to Carlo Filippo Morozzo in 1642 who added new and modern buildings to the original structure's remaining tower.
In late 1600, the castle was expanded into a residential palace adding the grand staircase and the adjoining rooms. Its transformation into a residential palace was completed in 1710, when the Marquis Gaspare Filippo Morozzo had a new wing built (currently painted pink), designed by architect Francesco Gallo.
After hosting a “Colonia Provinciale Orfani di Guerra” (provincial home for war orphans) and a nursery school in the 20th century, today the building, owned by the municipality, is home to the Provincial Ethnographic Museum and the “Augusto Doro” Study Centre, founded jointly on March 12th 1998 by various institutions, including the province of Cuneo, the municipality of Rocca De Baldi and the Society for Archaeological and Artistic History of the province of Cuneo.
Tour and local sights:
Visitors can tour the halls on the main floor, including some room reconstructions, the crenellated tower (called the “Torre dell’Agnese” after the wife of Ubaldo Morozzo). The full visit includes the castle, the civic tower (with a small exhibition of clocks and bells), the parish church of San Marco (the high altar, the work of the Carlone brothers, is one of the most important examples of the baroque in the Mondovì area) and the Museum of Local and Military History housed in the former canonical house (telling the story of Rocca de’ Baldi and the military events that have involved it, from the Napoleonic occupation to the end of the Second World War)
Opening times:
- Sunday and holidays 2.30pm - 6.30pm
- Work days by reservation only (phone 0174 587605 or mail info@museodoro.it)
- Also open on April 25th , May 1st, June 2nd, August 15th, November 1st, December 8th, December 25th and 26th, January 1st and 6th
Ticket price: including guided tour € 5.00
Services
Organization of educational activities for schools
Near by:
Mondovì and Vicoforte sanctuary,
Mondovì and Vicoforte sanctuary, Crava Morozzo nature reserve and LIPU bird oasis, Brichetto sanctuary, church of S. Fiorenzo and pictorial cycle at Bastia di Mondovì, Augusta Bagiennorum archaeological finds at Benevagienna
Local Products:
Mixed flower, chestnut and silver fir honeydew honey; cheeses; beef and veal; Morozzo capons; Dolcetto wine; Freshwater fish are farmed in the waters of the Pesio River in the area around the Crava Morozzo nature reserve and oasis
For more information:
Castello Rocca de 'Baldi Museo Etnografico Provinciale Piazza Pio VII 12047 Rocca de' Baldi (CN)
Phone: +39 0174 587605
e-mail: info@museodoro.it
Web: www.museodoro.it
International editions: