The Castle Pallavicino of Varano De ‘Melegari (Castle of Varano De’ Melegari) stands on a sandstone rock, in a strategic position for the control of the Ceno valley, and represents an extraordinary example of medieval defensive architecture. Founded between the tenth and eleventh centuries (the first written document that directly certifies its existence is the “Chronicle Pallavicina” of 1087), the castle owes its imposing today’s appearance mainly to the expansion and strengthening interventions carried out at the end of 1300 and presents numerous peculiarities, among which, first of all, the ingenious defensive system of the entrance, unique of its kind among all the castles of Emilia Romagna. Among the strongholds that belonged to the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza, the Castle of Varano is also known as “the impregnable fortress”.