Rocca Perugina is an imposing fortification built following the turbulent past between Perugia and the ancient Castel della Pieve. The latter rebelled several times against the Perugia authorities who, over the centuries, tried in every way to limit its expansion.
In 1326 the rulers of Perugia decided to build a large fortress to control the entire city and to guarantee greater security for its detachment. It still represents one of the town’s most dearly-loved monuments.
The Rocca has a triangular plan and was erected next to Porta Perugina, alongside the walls. Originally, a deep moat and a wooden fence surrounded the fortress to discourage and prevent access from the outside and to further protect the fortification.
Internally there were five towers: Torre del Castellano, a tower now destroyed, Torre del Prato, Torre Maestra, and the remains of Torre del Frontone.
All the towers were built to afford a view of the city of Perugia, thus allowing them to send visual signals in the event of danger or difficulty and to request reinforcements from Perugia.
Over the centuries the fortress has undergone numerous renovations and its uses have been numerous. From a defensive structure, it became the seat of the Perpetual Governors of papal nomination and a residence for the new magistrates, while the towers became prisons and homes for soldiers. Following the Unification of Italy, the structure became a Prison for the District of Orvieto.
Nowadays you can still admire the solemn grandeur of Rocca Perugina and relive the controversies and past events of the lively town of Città della Pieve.