Castello di Petroia: A Medieval Fortress Near Gubbio, Italy

Visitor Information

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Official Website: www.petroia.it

Country: Italy

Civilization: Medieval European

Remains: Military

History

The Castello di Petroia stands near the town of Gubbio in Italy, built by the medieval inhabitants of this region during the early Middle Ages. Its origins date to the 9th or 10th century, a time when the commune of Gubbio was strengthening its defenses against regional threats. This castle was part of a broader effort to protect the territory with fortifications on strategic hills.

The first documented mention of the castle appears in a donation deed from 1072 or 1073, where a property called “mansum in curte Petroij” is cited. This confirms that the castle already existed by the late 11th century as a controlled residence or estate center associated with the surrounding lands.

In 1257, Ugolino, count of Coccorano, conquered this fortress along with nearby strongholds and submitted them to the authority of Perugia. Despite this, Gubbio regained possession of Petroia by 1384 when Antonio da Montefeltro annexed the area, bringing the castle under the rule of the Duchy of Urbino. This duchy then governed the region until 1508.

A notable historical event occurred in 1422 when Federico da Montefeltro, the future duke and renowned condottiero (mercenary leader), was born at Petroia. He was the son of Elisabetta degli Accomandugi, whose relationship with Guidantonio da Montefeltro was adulterous, adding a complex personal history to the site. Federico maintained a strong connection with the castle throughout his life, often residing there and using the surrounding landscape for his falconry pursuits.

Ownership of Castello di Petroia changed multiple times over the centuries. After passing to Galasso da Montefeltro in 1396 and then Matteo degli Accomandugi in 1414, the castle came under Ugolino dei Bardi from 1458. Later, in 1487, Alessandro Reggeri of Canossa acquired the property, and his descendants held it until the early 17th century. It was then sold to the Monte di Pietà, a charitable institution, in 1617 before entering the hands of the Ugolini family in 1629. The Benvenduti family owned it from 1823 until 1909, when David Sagrini purchased the castle. The Sagrini family has maintained ownership since then, restoring and adapting it starting around 1988.

Following the death of the last della Rovere duke in 1631, the castle, along with the Duchy of Urbino, passed under the control of the Papal States. During Napoleon’s occupation of the Italian peninsula in 1797, Petroia was included within the Metauro department, an administrative division set up by the French authorities. After the Napoleonic period, it returned to the jurisdiction of Gubbio until 1837, maintaining its connected governance in the region.

Remains

The Castello di Petroia occupies a commanding position atop a hill overlooking the Chiascio plain and the surrounding Umbrian-Marche Apennines. From this vantage point, one can see prominent natural features such as the Catria massif and Monte Cucco. The castle’s layout reflects its military role within the southern defensive network of Gubbio and later the Duchy of Urbino.

The complex is formed by three main structures: a central keep known as the maschio, a large adjoining watchtower, and an attached fortified village or borgo. These buildings were designed to work together, providing a strong defensive core with living spaces nearby, all protected within stone walls.

The central keep served as the principal stronghold within the castle. While specific construction details such as materials used are not documented, its strategic position and scale underline its importance for both defense and administration. Next to it, the watchtower rises as an observation point, allowing sentries to monitor approaches across the valley and mountain passes.

Attached to these towers is the borgo, a small fortified settlement where residents and workers lived and took refuge. This arrangement made the castle not only a military fortress but also a center of local governance and rural life.

Restoration and modernization of the main buildings began around 1988, focusing on conserving the tower, the larger castellare or keep, and the smaller castellare. These efforts have preserved the core of the structure, allowing the castle to maintain its historical character. No specific decorative elements, inscriptions, or inscriptions have been recorded in the restoration reports, nor have archaeological finds such as pottery or tools been noted.

The castle’s surviving features continue to reflect its centuries-long use as a defensive site and residence, preserving the tangible footprint of its medieval heritage.