I Fontanini is
a fascinating hamlet dating back to the 16th Century and is
located in the Emilian Appennines, 650 m. above sea level. Erected in a dominating position, in a splendid natural context, the hamlet is one of the quaintest hamlets in the mountain region of Modena. The complex is comprised of various edifices forming a semicircle: a
fortificated house named "Casa Forte", a tower-house named "Casa del podere" and the imposing sixteenth century tower, named "Torre".
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"Torre" is characterized by two rows of columbary openings and an elegant eave ceiling in very elaborate brickwork. It was built between 1586 and 1596 as attested
by the dates carved on a tile and on a window found within
the building. |
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Casa
del podere |
"Casa Forte" is characterized by a richly embellished, lovely facade with several crenels and sculpted sandstone windows, as well as a monolithic arbalester. The analysis of some
architectural features of La Casa del podere and la
Casa forte, such as the decorated monolithic windows and the arched sandstone windows,
allow us to date them back to 1300.
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Casa forte |
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According to historical
cronicles and a map dating back to 1200, " Casa Forte "
might have been the church known as "Ad fontanellas".
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The presence
of a lily carved on the window frame of la Casa Forte,symbol
of the Estensi family, Dukes of Modena, leads to think
about a ownership of the buildings.
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The buildings "Casa forte"
and "Torre" controlled the medieval road that connected
Montecorone to Monteombraro passing among them. This
explains the presence of a crossbow window in the east
wall of la Casa Forte.
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I
Fontanini derives its name from the presence of springs
(fountains) that have always been vital for the dwellers
and allowed them to survive the terrible plague in 1630.
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