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



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

Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Palace was built in the period 1606-34 as Christian IV’s summerhouse just outside the ramparts of Copenhagen. Christian IV was very fond of the palace and often stayed at the castle when he resided in Copenhagen, and it was here that he died in 1648. After his death, the palace passed to his son King Frederik III, who together with his queen, Sophie Amalie, carried out several types of modernisation.

The last king who used the place as a residence was Frederik IV, and around 1720, Rosenborg was abandoned in favor of Frederiksborg Palace.Through the 1700s, considerable art treasures were collected at Rosenborg Castle, among other things items from the estates of deceased royalty and from Christiansborg after the fire there in 1794.

Soon the idea of a museum arose, and that was realised in 1833, which is The Royal Danish Collection’s official year of establishment.