The Project

The qualities of Zena Castle suggest the possibility of using a part of the complex for a series of activities and functions of great cultural, social and communicative interest, directed at a broad and varied public. This hypothesis is supported by an in-depth market analysis as well as by some assessments that are synthesised as follows:

1. the revitalization, as well the usage for activities of public interest, of structures with a great historical-architectural value, constitutes today, more than in the past, an opportunity also in the economic field, thanks to the development of allied and collateral activities;
2. the fact that the complex is situated next to the city of Piacenza, with a great possibility of access from the outside also makes it possible to identify a potential public on a national and international level
3. the evolution of "alternative" flows of tourists, that privilege offers in the cultural and environmental field and make areas that are traditionally neglected more desirable

Concretely Zena Castle - which was already in the past the venue of literary meetings and other remarkable initiatives (seminars, concerts, etc.), stands to be a centre for activities where cultural proposals, such as exhibitions, meetings, performances, are combined with activities of training in various fields of technique and knowledge.
This way the castle will also carry out the function of representing the company, increasingly important for the repercussions that it has both publicly and privately.
Furthermore strategic attention given to the issues related to making historical buildings functional again, which has a related specific research project (S.O.C.R.A.T.E.S.), can enable the structure as a whole to become a specific showcase on these topics for professionals, researchers and companies.

The presence of many areas to be used as accommodation facilities (a hotel with a capacity of about 50 beds in double rooms or suites with bathrooms, located in the two historical buildings next to the castle and in part of the east wing of the castle itself, a restaurant with about 100 places located in the old mill, many lounges for meetings and initiatives, an equipped garden of over two hectares, a swimming pool and other structures outside, etc. ) will enable a comfortable stay and the realisation of permanent initiatives, giving Zena Castle a kind of added value compared to many other buildings in the area.
In this context the willingness on the part of the current owners to go along an innovative path for the enhancement of a heritage that would otherwise be used less and disproportionately compared to its potential, is an essential factor.

Usages envisaged by the project of enhancement are:

Castle:

residence, hospitality and events (4 apartments, 6 lounges, 7 rooms with bathrooms, 1 gourmet area)

Ferraria:

accommodation capacity (8 rooms with bathroom and 3 suites)

Stallino:

accommodation and exhibitions (reception and showroom)

Casa Scotti:

accomodation and events (1 room with bathroom, 1 suite and 3 suites with 2 rooms each, 5 lounges, café)

Casetta:

events and services (1 event kitchen, various services)

Mill:

food-and-wine (1 restaurant with 100 places)

North Garden:

parking lot, warehouses structurally and technologically suitable to be used also as safety environments and as civil protection

Central garden:

outdoor exhibition area equipped with appropriate technological supports (revolving platform, lighting,etc.)

South garden:

archaeological area, swimming pool and wellbeing area

Garden of the old ditch:

archaeological area, historical garden

As has been described for the buildings and castle area, for the farm a project of enhancement is also being planned, centred this time around the creation of a holiday farm, with a significant accommodation capacity as far as the number of beds as well as the catering services and the spaces for hosting events are concerned.

This project intends to build a versatile and varied accommodation offer, capable of being of value and interest to different kinds of public.

Usages envisaged by this project are:

Farmhouse:

residence and catering, particularly with a restaurant with a capacity of about 200 places indoors and of about 300 outdoors (barn and portico).

Cassero:

hospitality (15 rooms with bathroom and 2 to 4 beds)

Stalla:

events, exhibitions, activities etc. (for a total surface of about 620 square metres) that can be hosted in a room that can be dismantled (1 area with 250 places and 3 areas with 80 / 100 places each), three lounges with 40 places each, bathroom, wardrobe, reception, café

Bumelliana:

residence / selling of farm products