Castello di Galeazza, Ferrara, Italia

The cultural association "Reading Retreats in Rural Italy" is located in the 14th Century Castle of Galeazza, 45 minutes from Bologna. Run as a guesthouse for bibliophiles and lovers of art, music and nature.

The 14th Century Castle of Galeazza, 40 minutes from Bologna, is home to the cultural association Reading Retreats in Rural Italy and its founder, Clark Lawrence.

The association hosts concerts, art exhibitions, and seasonal events year-round, and is open as a guesthouse to members, who come from Italy and abroad to read, relax, and meet each other in a friendly and tranquil atmosphere.

The castle, forty minutes north of Bologna, features frescoed ceilings and a library of over 3000 books, and sits amidst extensive gardens and a ten-acre woodland.

Since its inception in 1996, thousands of people have joined the association and come for events and "reading retreats," both at the castle and the association's previous location at Villa Montefano, Budrio.

Guests span a wide range of ages, nationalities, and walks of life, from professors and actors to local farmers and ironworkers. All who stay at the castle pitch in with cooking, gardening, and other daily tasks.

Prices are per person and include all meals and drinks.

***The Castle of Galeazza is run as a cultural association, and visitors must become members in order to stay here or take part in any of the events. Membership to Reading Retreats in Rural Italy costs 10 euro per year, and expires on the 31st of December. The only exception is memberships made in November or December, which expire on December 31st of the following year. The fees for all activities (overnight stays, concerts, parties, etc.) are contributions used only to cover the expenses of the association, which is non-profit.***

***Payment: Cash only***

**Check in: 13:00 - Check out: 12.00**

How to find us:

BY CAR FROM THE SOUTH: BOLOGNA - FLORENCE - ANCONA

Take the TANGENZIALE (Roughly translated “Ring Road”, because it goes around the city) to Exit 3, and follow signs for SAN GIOVANNI IN PERSICETO (abbreviated in many different ways). From Bologna’s airport (exit 4 of the Tangenziale) you’ll drive straight out and stay in the left lane as you approach the traffic light. Follow signs for MILANO/FIRENZE. This will put you on the tangenziale going in the correct direction – you only need to stay on the tangenziale for a couple kiolometers. Follow signs for San Giovanni in Persiceto. There are quite a few traffic lights, and usually a bit of traffic, but after about 25 or 30 minutes you’ll see a sign for San Giovanni in Persiceto on your right, and at the next traffic light you should turn RIGHT, in the direction of BUDRIO. After you go up and over a bridge, turn LEFT and follow signs for CENTO/FERRARA. Follow this curvy road till it ends – just a few kilometers – and then turn RIGHT. Keep on this road for about 10 minutes until you see signs for San Matteo della Decima. Turn left and enter San Matteo della Decima. At the second traffic light the road splits, the road on the right going toward Cento and the one on the left to FINALE EMILIA. Take the (slightly smaller) road to the left, and keep following signs for Finale Emilia until you get to a small town called Dodici Morelli, also written XII MORELLI. Slow down, and turn LEFT at the first intersection, where you’ll see a sign for Galeazza. The castle is the first building to the right after you pass the sign for Galeazza. A few houses, a church, convent, and pub are on the opposite side of the street, which is called Via Provanone.

BY CAR FROM THE NORTH: MILANO - PARMA - MODENA

Take the Autostrada A1 to the exit MODENA NORD, and from there follow signs for the TANGENZIALE, in the direction of BOLOGNA. Stay on the Tangenziale until you get to Exit 6 (the numbers should be descending as you drive on the Tangenziale – if they’re ascending, you’re going the wrong way). From the exit ramp you’ll turn LEFT and follow signs for Nonantola/Ferrara. After about three kilometers, you take another LEFT turn (DON’T go over that large bridge!) following signs for FINALE EMILIA/BOMPORTO. After about another kilometer you’ll turn left again and continue following signs for FINALE EMILIA. Keep going straight on the road to Finale Emilia until you get to a small town called CAMPOSANTO. In Camposanto you’ll go under a bridge, and turn LEFT at the flashing yellow light onto VIALE P. GIANNONE. At the first stop sign make another LEFT, and at the next stop sign make yet another LEFT and go up onto the bridge you just drove under. The road is S.S. number 568 toward BOLOGNA, but you don’t really need to know the name or number because as soon as you’re coming down off the bridge you have to slow down and turn (for the sixth time) LEFT onto Via PANARO, following signs for CENTO and GALEAZZA. From here it’s very easy. Continue straight for about ten minutes until the road makes a very sharp right turn in the town of GALEAZZA. The castle gates are on your… you guessed it… LEFT.