Rocca Imperiale Castle

Rocca Imperiale, Italy

The imposing Swabian castle of Rocca Imperiale is on the top of the hill over which the whole residential area extends. The fortress was ordered by Frederic II of Swabia in 1221, and he ordered the construction or refurbishment of 200 castles for defensive purposes in southern Italy. The castle was built in a place of great military and strategic importance and surveillance extended to the whole of the Gulf of Taranto. The development of the residential area followed the construction of the castle, bringing in the people from a series of fortified settlements in the area. Many feudatory lords alternated in the government of the area, constantly under barbarian attack, in the following 200 years.

In 1664, the castle withstood the attack of 4000 Saracen pirates who devastated Rocca, destroying the old 13th century church in the old centre of which only the lovely Romanesque bell tower with mullioned windows and cornices remains. In 1989, the last heirs of the family owning the castle decided to donate it to the Municipality of Rocca Imperiale.

References:

Comments

Your name



Marker
Leaflet © OpenStreetMap contributors

Details

Founded: 1221
Category: Castles and fortifications in Italy

More Information

www.turiscalabria.it

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Louis Kroon (15 months ago)
Fantastic experience attending a Nativity walk through the old town, beautiful
Richard Meadmore (2 years ago)
Always quiet but good for an afternoon wonder, great views and on top of a town which is well with a visit too.
Filip Ussarz (4 years ago)
It was closed during day time till 17:30 in July. So no picture was taken inside... But guessing it is beautiful. Next time...
Andrei Nita (5 years ago)
An amazing spot in Calabria on the same level with Matera, Tropea and Assisi.
Brigitte Baaten (6 years ago)
Beautiful castle. Stayed there for about one hour. Ticket price 3 euro. Also walk along the streets of the old town, that's quite a picturesque walk.
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

St. Martin Rotunda

The Chapel of St. Martin is the only completely preserved Romanesque building in Vyšehrad and one of the oldest in Prague. In was built around 1100 in the eastern part of the fortified outer ward. Between 1100 and 1300, the Rotrunda was surrounded by a cemetery. The building survived the Hussite Wars and was used as the municipal prison of the Town of the Vyšehrad Hill.

During the Thirty Years’ War, it was used as gunpowder storage, from 1700 to 1750, it was renovated and reconsecrated. In 1784, the chapel was closed passed to the military management which kept using it as a warehouseand a cannon-amunition manufacturing facility. In 1841, it was meant to be demolished to give way to the construction of a new road through Vyšehrad. Eventually, only the original western entrance was walled up and replaced with a new one in the sountren side. The dilapidating Rotunda subsequently served as a shelter for the poor.