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Last summer the local council of Arona authorized the use of the Rocca di Arona for civil, legally valid ceremonies, as well as symbolic ceremonies on the outdoor terrace.
The characteristics which make a wedding at the Rocca di Arona unique and special include a wonderful view of the lake and the enchanting natural and historical setting.
In this blog post we will discover the Rocca di Arona thanks to Gabriella Di Muro’s splendid photographs and, above all, thanks to Rossana Trabattoni, the celebrant who conducted the symbolic ceremony for Luana and Christopher, the bride and groom featured in this article.
Built by the Longobards around the year 1000, the Rocca di Arona occupied a crucial role in defending Lake Maggiore, as did its twin Rocca di Angera (Fort of Angera), situated on the opposite side of the Lake. The Rocca di Angera has also become a prestigious wedding location, famously chosen by Beatrice Borromeo and Pierre Casiraghi (third son of princess Caroline of Monaco).
Around the year 1200 the Fort became the property of the Visconti family, who later passed it on to the Borromeo family. San Carlo Borromeo was born here in 1538.
The Borromeo family owned the Fort for more than 4 centuries, until its partial destruction by Napoleon’s troops in 1800. More recently, in September 2011, the Borromeo Fort of Arona was reopened to the public, after ten years of total abandonment.
Symbolic Ceremony at the Rocca di Arona
History aside, what follows is an account of Christopher and Luana’s symbolic wedding at the Rocca di Arona thanks to Rossana Trabattoni, who acted as celebrant on the couple’s big day. Here is what Rossana has to say about the lovely wedding she officiated at the fort of Arona:
The Rocca di Arona is a romantic and evocative location for a wedding ceremony. The symbolic ceremony can be held on the lawn in front of the Fort, with the spectacular Lake Maggiore in the background. Luana and Christopher chose a country theme for their wedding, with haystacks covered by little white cushions as seating for the guest and the bride and groom: a simple, but poetic and suggestive setup.
The arch, under which the symbolic ceremony was conducted, was set up in the shade of a large tree, in front of the terrace overlooking the lake.
A stone arch leads to the lawn of the Fort, which dominates the garden and the terrace in front.
The ceremony was captivating and evocative, thanks to the magical setting of the Fort with its ancient stone walls.
During the ceremony I read the poems and passages chosen with my help by the bride and groom, in order to personalise the rite. The ceremony was accompanied by guitar and violin.
– Rossana Trabattoni, wedding celebrant
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Legal civil ceremonies at the Rocca di Arona
As from June 2016, the local council of Arona has made it possible to celebrate legally valid civil ceremonies at the Fort. The civil ceremony can be held outdoors, in the same place as the symbolic one described in this post.
As this is an outdoor ceremony, in the event of rain, the rite will take place in the ancient portico, property of the Town Hall, with seating for 50 people.
Please note that regulations allow weddings only on days when the park is open to the public: there may be only one wedding per day, and never on the same day as another event.
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