Este Castle

Emilia-Romagna · Italy · Castle

In the dungeons of Ferrara's castle, the beheaded lovers Ugo and Parisina are said to still weep in the darkness.

The moat-ringed Castello Estense in the heart of Ferrara was the power base of the House of Este – and the scene of one of the Renaissance's most tragic love stories. Marquis Niccolò III's young wife Parisina Malatesta and his son Ugo, the same age and in love, began a secret affair that was revealed to the marquis. He had them thrown into the dungeons of the Lions' Tower and beheaded on 21 May 1425. Those who descend into the castle's damp cells today and stand in silence are said to hear desperate weeping from the depths – the two lovers who never found peace.

FAQ

Where is Este Castle located?

Este Castle is in Emilia-Romagna, Italy.

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Accounts are drawn from local folklore and visitor reports.

Image: Nicola Jannucci / CC BY-SA 3.0 — Wikimedia Commons