Characteristic Emilian town lying on the first slopes of the Reggio hills.

In the title we highlighted its main features:
poetry and science as it is the birthplace of Matteo Maria Boiardo (1441-1494), important Italian writer, and of the famous Jesuit scientist Lazzaro Spallanzani.

A bit of history:
Some evidence of the existence of the settlement dates back to the Neolithic period.
A defensive castle was built in 1262, and the whole history of the town is connected to it. Later on the Boiardo counts transformed the fortress into a stately home then again renovated in Renaissance style.
In 1860 with a plebiscite it joined the Kingdom of Sardinia.

A note:
We wanted to visit the castle, but we have not found any indication.
Only in the afternoon, having found the door wide open, we were able to enter the internal courtyards.
This was the situation about a year ago and we do not know if anything has changed.

For more info:
rocca dei boiardo
wikipedia: Scandiano
www.treccani.it: matteo maria boiardo
www.treccani.it: lazzaro spallanzani