Castello di Roccascalegna: A Historic Castle in Italy

Visitor Information

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Official Website: www.castelloroccascalegna.com

Country: Italy

Civilization: Early Modern, Medieval European

Site type: Military

Remains: Castle

History

The Castello di Roccascalegna stands on a steep rocky outcrop overlooking the settlement of Roccascalegna in Italy. Its origins trace back to the 11th or 12th century, when it was expanded from a simple watchtower built during the Lombard period. This early structure served as a lookout point, controlling the surrounding territory.

The castle first appears in written records in 1525, during restoration efforts. In the 16th century, the defensive walls were raised higher than before, though battlements were removed. Under the Annecchino lords, existing towers were strengthened and a new round tower was added, enhancing the castle’s fortifications.

Between 1531 and 1600, the Carafa family held the barony and made significant changes. They built the chapel of Santissimo Rosario in 1577 and improved the system for collecting rainwater, ensuring a reliable water supply within the castle. These modifications reflect both religious devotion and practical needs.

From 1600 to 1717, the Corvi family ruled the castle. In 1705, the drawbridge was destroyed, and a guardhouse along with a protective wall was constructed near the entrance ramp, as confirmed by a notarial document. This period saw defensive adaptations to changing military conditions.

After years of neglect, parts of the castle deteriorated, including the collapse of the Torre del Cuore in 1940. In 1985, the Croce Nannis family, the last private owners, donated the castle to the local municipality. Restoration work took place during the 1990s and was completed in 1996, preserving the site for future generations.

A local legend from 1646 tells of Baron Corvo de Corvis, who allegedly enforced the medieval right known as ius primae noctis, allowing him to claim a bride’s first night. This act led to his assassination by either the bride or her husband. According to the story, his bloodied handprint appeared on a nearby rock and reappeared repeatedly despite attempts to wash it away, adding a dramatic layer to the castle’s history.

Remains

The castle occupies a steep rocky promontory and is enclosed by walls built from lightly dressed stone, pebbles, and brick fragments. These walls rise as high as the towers and follow the natural contours of the rock, creating a strong defensive position.

Access to the castle is via a steep staircase starting from the San Pietro plain. This path continues over inclined terraces leading to the main entrance, where remnants of the original drawbridge are still visible. To the right of the entrance stands the Torre di Sentinella, or Sentinel Tower, which served as an early warning post.

Inside the courtyard, several towers connect to the main area, including a prison tower and the Angevin tower. The castle also contains a simple, single-nave chapel without decoration. This chapel features a gutter system that channels rainwater into a cistern made from rubble materials, reflecting practical adaptations for water storage.

A further ramp leads to the watchtower, constructed with roughly hewn stone and brick masonry. This tower has openings on all four sides, allowing for observation in every direction. The castle’s defensive structures were reinforced over time, including the addition of a round tower during the Annecchino lordship.

Near the castle lies the medieval Church of San Pietro, completed around 1568 but possibly dating back to the 13th century or earlier. It was the first church in Roccascalegna and served as the baron’s chapel. The church features a Romanesque round-arched portal dated 1461, baroque frescoes on the lunette above the entrance, and three baroque naves inside. Its semicircular apse is slightly rotated, and the bell tower, dated 1805, has battlements at the top, likely from a restoration of a medieval tower.

Overall, the castle’s remains show a complex of defensive and religious buildings adapted over centuries. Restoration efforts in the late 20th century have preserved much of the structure, allowing the site to retain its historical character.