A castle near Bologna for my grandchildren

You’re already familiar with the Asinelli and Garisenda towers, the Two Towers, right? Just in case, these are right smack in downtown old Bologna. They both lean - the Garisenda so much that it’s inaccessible. But the Asinelli, the taller one over 300 feet high, can be climbed, all 498 steps to the top, for a commanding view over the city. You don’t need, or get, a tour; you climb up on your own, at your speed.

OK, so the Asinelli isn’t Renaissance - it predates it by 350 years. But Tower Houses were quintessential “castles” in what became Italy. Wealthy families built them as secure houses, and the city was once filled with them - Medieval skyscrapers. There aren’t surviving furnishings, so you won’t find furniture or frescoes, just the wooden stairs and the ancient iron and timber supports that help hold the huge stone walls in place. Entry is timed, and they let in only so many people at one time. In summer, time slots can sell out. I don’t know about demand at Christmastime, but it’s open through December 31 (although closed on Christmas Day), then closed until January 9, 2024. Book your reservation at the Tourist Office in Bologna or at https://www.duetorribologna.com/ .

I do confirm! :-D
The most of castles are without original furniture, because has been abandoned and emptied tens of years (or centuries) ago by the original owners.
One could be Rocca di Soragna, because is still used by the family who owned it since centuries (the count is Diofebo II Meli-Lupi). Can be visited only with a guided tour. https://www.roccadisoragna.it/
The fortress of Vignola is for sure a typical example of Emilian fortress, similar to Ferrara and Torrechiara, but the frescos are more ancient: XV century. The entrance is free but in escorted groups.
Castle of Ferrara is one of the biggest and you don't need a tour. Medieval style outside (XIV-XV century) with frescoes more Mannerism style (XVI century)
Rocchetta Mattei is very nice. Is a medieval fortress rebuild and changed at end of XIX century in liberty style.
Even Dozza could be one. Medieval style and in the underground there is the Regional cellar (for the grandparents...). There is a dragon nest inside :-D
Could be interesting show to your grandchildren two different castles, like Mattei and Vignola. An idea to compare a real Medieval fortress with one more similar to the fairy tales.

There's an interesting Facebook group whose members post photos and info (in Italian) about Italian castles. You can see images of many of the castles mentioned here. https://www.facebook.com/groups/151013861596209/

Thanks for the idea of climbing the tower in Bologna, Cyn --- we had only thought of going to see them with the kids, but they might like to climb to the top. We'll see how they like climbing the stairs of the bell tower on Torcello (we'll be in Venice with them for a week and then our week in Bologna) and also which of their parents is willing to do the Bologna tower with them!

Ricky, your information is always so nice and detailed, and will help us decide --- I am now inclining towards Vignola despite the escort, but we will also check out the castle in Ferrara when we are staying in Ferrara for four days before the kids arrive. Mannerism would probably be a relief for my husband after all the medieval stuff that I love and that he accompanies me to see.

I'm not on Facebook, Mike, but my husband is, and he speaks and reads Italian very well so he'll check that out. Thank you!

I'd make 2 other suggestions if you could drift up into the Veneto -

Just over your 90 minutes is Soave. Fabulous walled town, famous for, well, Soave (tho you may be too young to recognise) and inside the walled town is a great traditional crenelated castle. https://www.castellodisoave.it/en Just off the Autostrada. Midway between Verona and Vicenza.

Northeast of that, especially for its historical value is the fortified and walled city of Cittadella from which the name of a citadel comes. Great place https://muradicittadella.it/ Just above Padova, again just beyond your 90 minutes.

You could actually make a half day out of it and see both.

Ricky, what about Brisighella? https://www.brisighella.org/en/

I went there when I was 14, it seemed such an adventure to me and my schoolmates! Going to the tentacular Brisighella (population 7,600) with no adults...

what about Brisighella?

As village is very nice. I like it. You can find even great food and wines! Anyway the fortress itself is less impressive with respect to other ones.
In Romagna I prefer Imola or San Leo.

If is not a problem do some more kilometers could be funny even compare a real medieval castle and fortress like Vigoleno with one rebuilt is XIX century like Grazzano Visconti. So how different could appear a place considered "medieval style" with one real medieval.
And if you go to Parma with teenager (but is very funny even for adults!) you can visit the labyrinth of Masone. Is very big and in the middle there is a strange construction and an interesting art gallery. ;-)

More good ideas, thank you! Actually, we have spent a day in both Soave (but the castle was closed then) and Cittadella, and two days and a night in Brisighella (although we didn't walk up to the castle) --- a return to Brisighella is an idea we hadn't thought of. It's an hour's drive from Portico di Romagna where we plan to take the kids to see the presepi. We last stayed in Portico di Romagna 7 years ago and would love to see what new presepi the town has created since then.

It's so hard to know how much to take the kids (and their parents) to Italian places we already know and love, and how much to take them to explore places new to all of us!