At an altitude of almost 800 metres, the castle dominates the valleys of the Dolo and Dragone rivers where they flow into the River Secchia. It was built between 1235 and 1238 around the mighty tower dating back to 1170, which then became the castle keep. The building suffered serious damage in 1240 during conflicts with the Municipality of Modena, and although it was re-conquered and defensive walls and powerful bastions were added, further conflicts in later years damaged it once more. The powerful Montecuccoli family were the uncontested lords of Montefiorino until 1426, when they were driven out by the fury of the people and the fief passed into the hands of the Este family, where it remained until 1796. The modern-day castle is the result of numerous transformations which have changed its appearance and structure over the years. The round architraved portal and the small modern window can be seen at the base of the fortress tower, which dates back to the XII century. The portal, dating back to the XIII century, features coats-of-arms in the keystones; unfortunately these are badly deteriorated and almost illegible. The fortress houses the Museum of the Resistance; opened in 1979, it was renovated in 1994, further extended in 1996, and offers a wealth of information on the history of the first partisan Republic of Italy, the "Republic of Montefiorino", which existed from the 18th of June to the 2nd of August 1944.