Torrechiara

#153 Castello di Torrechiara
Langhirano, Parma, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
1448 - 1460
This is NOT an official Lego site

This massive fortress is one of the most important examples of 15th century Italian castles. Built on a hill about 260 feet [80 meters] above the valley floor, it is built like many castles resting on a plain. The castle was built by Pier [Peter] Maria II della Rossi between 1448 and 1460. While built as a military structure, it was at the same time intended as the comfortable home for the Pier Maria, Count of San Secondo, and his mistress, Bianca Pellegrini. This happy combination resulted in a castle which required minimal alterations through the generations, such renovations having greatly altered many military castles at the end of feudal fighting.

The fortress is protected by three rings of walls, with the inner castle consisting the four corner towers, three square and the fourth rectangular, all connected by salons and other rooms with gorgeous decorations, all topped with corbelled and machicolated battlements! Two of the towers are pictured below - the others are the Lily Tower (which contains Bianca's coat of arms) and the Lion Tower, which sports Rossi's shield.

The castle faired very well in the capable hands of Pier Maria (1413-1482), including being on the winning side in the War of Ferrera [Salt War], which pitted Ferrera and its allies against the Most Serene Republic of Venice. Upon his death, the castle passed to his legitimate firstborn son Guido [Giovanni] de' Rossi, who died in 1502 at age 71. Thereafter the castle passed from hand to hand, being besieged and captured several times by Lodovico il Moro, Pietro di Rohan, Pallavicino and several Sforzas. It was purchased by the state in 1912, after the deplorable loss of all the original furnishing by the last owner. It is a national monument and open to the public.


My wife Judy looks up the sloping passage into the main castle.	Judy and I pose near the top of the ramp.	The Tower of the Golden Chamber and SE Terrace.


The courtyard looking toward the Tower of Saint Nicodemus, which houses the chapel.	The courtyard looking toward the main salon.	The portico under the NW wing. Judy chats with our dear friend (and guide) Dan Vallauri.

Photos of the Lego Model under construction July - August, 2016

Construction of the Castello di Torrechiara begins on July 7 as the structure is laid out.	The remainder of the building time is spent stacking the first four layers of slopes for the huge splayed plinth...	...and working on the entrance level of the gatehouse.	On day 2 the plinth has almost reached its full height, and the gatehouse now has doors.


Building on July 10 features drawbridges and the lower two of the three terraces.	The infrastructure of the inner castle is also mostly in place.	Here's a closeup of the carriage and pedestrian drawbridge mechanisms...	...and a look inside the gatehouse itself.


By July 12 the corbels are in place...	...and the gatehouse is roofed.	The northeast terrace also has embattled merlons and there are windows in the salon.	Here's a closer look at the infrastructure, which will more than double in height in the next few days!


On Thursday, July 14, the castle is filling in:	This view details the south- east terrace AND the new courtyard, with its two wells.	Here's the view from what I believe is the original (and only) entrance - and it's zigzag approach.	We leave for a California reunion later this morning, but not before taking...


...pictures. Work during the last two days has concentrated on...	...finishing the ramp from the gatehouse to the SW terrace.	The only entrance to the inner castle will be the gate next to the Lion (north) Tower.	By July 28 the outer curtain along the ramp and SW terrace has battlements.


The porch has been added next to the East Tower...	...as well as a similar porch off the South Tower.	The first story of courtyard arches and doors is almost complete as well!	It took lots of advanced planning to make certain all the arches fit perfectly.


At the end of August 2 the wall-walk from the North Tower to the Gatehouse is embattled.	But most of the work has concentrated on the second story of the courtyard.	The south-east balcony is not only built, but it's roofed as well...	...and the western court- yard is also nearing completion.

Photos of the Lego Model
Built July 7 - August 17, 2016

This project is dedicated to my friend Dan Vallauri. A native of northern Italy, he lives and works in Monaco,
building fantastic castles and other monuments in Lego, and creating LOTR , Egyptian and other minifigs and
accessories to enhance our Lego endeavors. He kindly drove my wife Judy and me on a wonderful two
day sojourn from Monaco to Parma in September 2013, where we visited castles, ate, and generally lived
like Italian princes [and princess, of course]. Dan's 40th birthday was 17 August 2016 - the day 'his' castle
was completed! Coincidence? Dan can be reached at dan@nicebricks.com and at the only shop on
Bricklink in Monaco.


Let's begin with an overview of Torrechiara from the east.	The middle curtain, too expansive for me to recreate, protects the castle from siege towers.	A tall splayed plinth upon which the inner castle is built repels all but the longest ladders...	...rendering the castle virtually impregnable to attack.


The inner castle had three levels from which to fire upon an advancing enemy.	I have eliminated what I believe is a modern entrance to the inner courtyard...	...as well as the modern staircase which leads up to the original arched gate.	The inner gatehouse features both a carriage and pedestrian drawbridge.


The large towers have plenty of room for archers to defend the fortress.	Should the gatehouse be breached, attackers would be assaulted from all sides!	The Lion Tower, named in honor of the Rossi crest, is the tallest of the four - and possibly the first to be roofed.	The south side of the court- yard is galleryed.


There are three wells in the courtyard and within the south residential range.	Wide staircases lead to upper levels in both the north and west ranges.	The expansive porches remind all that this massive fortress was also a comfortable home.	Grassy areas may have seen flowers, herbs or vegetables at one time.


The more southern porch is missing two adjoining rooms, eliminated in the model due to geometric concerns.	Soldiers train on the south-west terrace...	...ready to deploy wherever they might be needed	Oops, we've caught a fellow doing his business atop a garderobe chute. A perfect place to end!

Build Your Own I have scanned reassembled two elevations, which will show something of the sketches I used in creating Torrechiara. However, I think printing these on a standard sheet of paper would be useless. So a full set of plan and elevations will be available at cost through Decatur Blue Print. Please contact me if you are very interested, but note that these are NOT brick by brick instructions such as Lego Group sells with their sets!

Lego Plan


Ground Plan of Torrechiara	First floor plan	Rossi coat 0f arms


By August 6 the pair of porches are roofed!	And by August 10 tower have begun to take shape...


Southeast Elevation	Southwest Elevation	Elevation


Elevation	Elevation	cross-section