Castelvetro di Modena

Some notable buildings are Palazzo Comunale and Palazzo Rinaldi; the Church is located in the historical centre as well as Palazzo Rangoni, which in 1564 hosted Torquato Tasso, the poet to whom historical re-enactments are still dedicated and performed every year in September. In the hamlet of Levizzano there is the homonymous Castle which consists in a defensive wall and the so-called Matildic Tower. On the ground floor of the Castle, Rosso Graspa is located, a museum dedicated to wine and rural society, full of evidence of local agricultural life. Immersed in the green landscape, there are also the Sanctuary of Puianello and San Michele Arcangelo Oratory, with their breathtaking view of the hills. Castelvetro di Modena is a member of the National Association of Città del Vino (Wine Cities) and is both one of Italy's Most Beautiful Villages (Borghi più Belli d'Italia) and one of the Italian Touring Club’s Bandiera Arancione villages (Orange Flag).

Golden Yarns at the Palace 
A permanent exposition of 16th century-style clothes testifying to the close tie between Castelvetro and the Renaissance period, in the same atmosphere that surrounded the young poet Torquato Tasso at the Rangoni court.

Municipal Vinegar Cellar
Upon entering the access door, you are greeted by the aroma of vinegar that is fermenting and maturing in “vasselli” (barrels). The Acetaia houses two sets of seven barrels, each of successively smaller sizes, for reasons strictly related to the production of the Traditional Balsamic vinegar of Modena (ABTM). The casks are made of different woods like oak, chestnut, ash, acacia and cherry.

In the rich tradition of local food and other products, Castelvetro offers opportunities to taste the Province of Modena’s best-known specialties: PDO (protected designation of origin) and PGI (protected geographical indication) balsamic vinegar, PDO Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, zampone and cotechino (dishes made from a mixture of ground pork flavored with herbs and spices and stuffed into the hollowed-out lower-leg of a hog), and fresh filled pastas (tortellini in broth or the larger “tortelloni”), as well as gnocco fritto (pastries something like a deep-fried dumpling), crescentine (a round, flat bread, flavored with spices and generally eaten with cold cuts, cheese, or spreads), borlengo (a thin flatbread), and calzagatti (pan-fried polenta), accompanied naturally by a fine glass of Lambrusco Grasparossa.

A local specialty, Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro di Modena has developed a rich and complex story during its thousand-year history. The local climate, soil, wild herbs, water, the exposure of fields to the sun, the wind, the slope of the vineyards, and annual rainfall all confer special characteristics to Lambrusco grapes and to the fine wine that comes from them.

• Wine Nights (June, July, August, September)
  Local food and wine excellences come together in a series of tasting events under the magical summer starry sky. The event is promoted by the National Association of Wine Cities.
• Mercurdo – Market of the Absurd (June – odd-numbered years)
  In the historic center of Castelvetro, every two years, visitors can enjoy shows, performances, and exhibitions all dedicated to the theme of the Absurd, and purchase strange and unusual items from carefully selected stalls.
• Historical Parade and Living Checkers (September – even-numbered years)
  A historical reenactment event recalling the celebrations of the Rangone Marquises in honor of the poet Torquato Tasso, who took refuge in Castelvetro. The event takes place in the evocative checkerboard-shaped square of the historic center.
• Festival at the Castle (September – odd-numbered years)
  A lavish Renaissance banquet that can only be attended while wearing period-style clothing. Guests are entertained by musicians, fire-eaters, gypsies, and historical dances.
• Grape and Lambrusco Grasparossa Festival of Castelvetro (September)
  An event featuring numerous activities: tastings in the old village and at local farms, technical meetings with producers, shows, music, entertainment for children, a market exhibition of typical products, food stands, and the parade of Bacchus floats. This event aims to promote and strengthen the area’s agricultural vocation, highlighting the history and characteristics of its flagship product: Lambrusco Grasparossa.
• Poesia Festival (August and September)
  Four days dedicated to poetry across the municipalities of the Union of Terre di Castelli and other areas between Modena and Vignola. Performances and meetings with international guests including poets, actors, musicians, and artists engage the public with the charm and beauty of poetry.
• Viva Natale! Among Dreams, Workshops, and Castles (December)
  On the weekends leading up to Christmas, the historic center and shops of Castelvetro come alive with a charming festive atmosphere, featuring lights and nativity scenes. Entertainment for both adults and children is also provided.

Castle of Levizzano Rangone
The Castle of Levizzano Rangone consists of a defensive wall that includes the Matildic Tower, protecting the entrance. The so-called Bishops’ Rooms, with their wooden ceiling and Renaissance frescoes, date back to the 16th century; the loggia on the main floor offers a magnificent view of the hills dotted with vineyards.

Rosso Graspa Wine and Rural Society Museum – ground floor of the Castle of Levizzano Rangone, via Celestino Cavedoni, Levizzano Rangone
Rosso graspa is a museum dedicated to the history and the culture of our territory and to its excellent product: Lambrusco Grasparossa. Extraordinary photographic evidence, drawings and agricultural tools bring the visitor through a narration that develops in working cycles (the Path of Grapes, the Path of Land, the Path of Wood) and in detailed stations that offer the tourist a clear and captivating reading key making for an exciting experience, thanks also to the presence of auditory clips that bring back the voices and sounds of the past.

San Michele Arcangelo Oratory 
The Oratory, a Romanesque jewel, dates to the second half of the 12th century and has an austere and minimal architectural style, with remnants of external decoration on the facade and main entrance. Inside the building, the only ornament is a fresco representing six saints.

Sanctuary of Puianello 
The Sanctuary of Puianello was built in 1716 upon request of Marquise Teresa Rangoni and it was dedicated to Our Lady of Heath. The building features a Baroque style with a Latin cross layout and hosts valuable pieces of art, including a painting thought to be a work of painter Giacomo Cavedoni.