We are in front of one of the most famous fortresses in Italy; surely you have seen it in a film or else on stamps, but to see it in person is truly incredible!
All of the complex is located at 1500 meters high (one of the highest fortifications in Italy) in a landscape of surrounding fields, dominating the valley which lies much further below.
The central body is made up of a very large quadrangular tower (which many believe pre-existed) surrounded by a square fortification with four cylindrical towers at four corners with powerful inclined bases.
Rocca Calascio was once accessed by means of a drawbridge that connected it to the town below, it, too, in ruins today and whose remains only make the entire complex even more fascinating.
As was previously mentioned, the central tower probably pre-existed: a large watchtower, this theory is also supported by the entry which is at 5 meters high and was reachable via a removable stairway. That which we know for sure is that the square fortification and four cylindrical towers were built in 1400's, when Rocca Calascio passed from the hands of Baron of Carapelle to Piccolomini.
If you have enough time to take this itinerary as slowly as it should be done, I recommend waiting to see the sunset at Rocca Calascio: you won't regret it.
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Sunset at Rocca Calascio |
Sunrise at Rocca Calascio |
The bastions |
Sunrise at Rocca Calascio |
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Il Corno Grande (the Big Horn) of Gransasso from Rocca Calascio |
Il Corno Grande (the Big Horn) of Gransasso from Rocca Calascio |
Rocca Calascio
Photographer:
Matteo Bordini Written by: Matteo Bordini The photographers and writers hold the copyright to their works and allow for their non-exclusive use by Rural Journey and Vagabondo for their publication in "Italy Travelguide". |