Mysteries in the Castle

Mystery Enters San Giorgio Castle

Mysteries in the Castle is the new literary review that in 2026 transforms the Castle of San Giorgio Piacentino, in the heart of Val Nure in the province of Piacenza, into a stage dedicated to the mystery genre. Stories of enigmas, crimes, and intrigues accompany the public from March to June, with book presentations, dialogues with authors, and a themed guided tour. The first edition inherits the legacy of the Writers in the Castle review, expanding the cultural offering that the Municipality and the Educarte cooperative have been bringing to the manor's Hall of Honour for years.

Guests of the First Edition

The 2026 program alternates established names in Italian noir. It begins on March 28 with Marco Ghizzoni, who presents Le bionde del Benaco (Laurana) in dialogue with Chiara Persico, to discuss the characteristics of the mystery genre. On May 23, it's the turn of mystery writer Giovanni Cocco with Notturno con delitto (Marsilio), accompanied by Marco Ghizzoni. The review concludes on June 6 with Valerio Varesi, who brings the famous Commissioner Soneri back to the stage in the novel Lago santo (Mondadori), in dialogue with Chiara Persico.

A Guided Tour Between History and Conspiracies

Alongside the literary events, on April 18, the review offers an off-site appointment: the special guided tour In morte di Pierluigi Farnese (The Death of Pierluigi Farnese) at Palazzo Farnese in Piacenza, a journey through history, art, and conspiracies dedicated to the first Duke of Parma and Piacenza, assassinated in a famous plot. The tour requires mandatory booking.

Promoters and Context

Mysteries in the Castle is promoted by the Municipal Administration of San Giorgio Piacentino and is conceived and organized by the Educarte cooperative, which has managed the municipal library for years, in collaboration with the Libreria Puma by Nicola Maserati. The review confirms the cultural vitality of the small towns of Emilia-Romagna, where a historic castle becomes the ideal place to tell the fascination of mystery and crime. Castle events are free admission.