La Rocca is located in the upper part of the historic center of Spoleto, on the top of Sant’Elia hill. Built by the order of the Spanish Cardinal Egidio Albornoz starting in 1360, it was the seat of papal legates and popes. Today, with the progressive restoration of the rooms and the mural paintings that still adorn its walls, the complex has finally regained its strategic position for controlling the Flaminia road, an ideal support and starting point for military actions aimed at reclaiming the territories of Umbria, Marche, and Romagna. The fortress constituted the pivot of the defensive system of the Papal State, but it was also conceived as a residence for the Dukedom’s Rectors initially, then for the city’s governors and papal legates, and therefore frescoed like the refined noble residences of the era. The Rocca, begun in 1359, was built by the order of the Spanish Cardinal Egidio Albornoz with the aim of bringing the city back under papal rule. The Eugubine Matteo di Giovannello, called Gattapone, was in charge of the works. Six towers, four corner and two median, run along the perimeter. Internally, the building lies between two courtyards: the Arms courtyard, to the south, and the Honor courtyard, to the north. With the progressive restoration of the rooms and mural paintings, the complex has finally regained its original charm. The Hall of Honor and the Painted Chamber, decorated by a rare cycle of chivalric-themed frescoes from the 15th century, testify to its former beauty. Always affirming them as tools of defense for civic peace, the rocche were symbols of dominion, intended to guarantee the obedience and submission of the people to the Church, becoming the most evident feature of its conquest action. Such was the case for the Rocca of Spoleto, Narni, Orvieto, Assisi, Todi, and Spello.
Information about Rocca Albornoziana of Spoleto
Piazza Campello, 1
06049 Spoleto (Perugia)
0743223055 – 0743 – 223055
Source: MIBACT
