The stronghold’s construction began around 1124, when a first defense tower was built by Pallavicino. The central guarding tower was built in the same period, that is now the entrance door too: today it has a stone bridge, originally a lift bridge. In 1386 the lands around Fontanellato with its stronghold, were given to Sanvitale.
In 1404, the fief became a county: in that period, the stronghold became an important noble residence. It has been property of Sanvitale family up to 1948, when Giovanni Sanvitale sold it to the Municipality of Fontanellato.