Subject in the 10th century to the bishop of Modena, the fortress passed subsequently to the Comune of Modena under whose jurisdiction it remained till the year 1227, when it came into possession of the Grassoni family that held it until the end of the 14th century, when the of the Dukes of Este gave it as a fiefdom to the Contrari family of Ferrara (1401).
Though at first a defensive structure, with the dominion of the Contrari the fortress was transformed into a sumptuous abode rich of decorations and frescos.
The fortress was acquired in 1577 by the Boncompagni family that kept it until 1796, when, following the Napoleonic conquest, Vignola became Canton chief town of the department of Panaro.
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