Rocca Maggiore (1365)

The scant archeological evidence that has been found on this site suggests that it was the acropolis of the ancient city, just inside the city walls.

The first castle of the site seems to have been built by Charlemagne after he sacked the city in 773.  However, the earliest surviving documentary reference to it dates to 1174, when Christian of Mainz subdued Assisi on behalf of the Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa.  He appointed Conrad of Urslingen as Duke of Spoleto, and the Rocca was Conrad’s main residence in the period 1177-98.  The citizens of Assisi tore down this building when they declared a free commune in 1198. 

The site was probably fortified again in the early 14th century, but any such fortifications would have been destroyed in 1321 when Perugia finally subjugated the city.

Cardinal Albornoz rebuilt the Rocca in 1365, when he took Assisi from Perugia and installed a garrison to control the city.  From this point, the Rocca Maggiore was central to the control of the city. The central keep provided an almost impregnable residence for the castellan, even if the outer fortifications were taken.

1394-8	Biordo Michelotti built the entrance tower and added a storey to the keep.  His arms can be seen on its southern wall.
1458	Giacomo Piccinino began the polygonal tower at the junction with the wall that extends to the Rocca Minore.
1460	Pope Pius II completed this tower and built the corridor that linked it to the main fortifications.
1538	Pope Paul III built the circular bastion at the junction with the stretch of wall that extends to Porta San Giacomo.

The Rocca, which  was used as a papal prison from the late 16th century, passed to the new national government in 1860.

Read more:
There is a more detailed account of the history of the Rocca by Daniele Amone in the website Castelli dell' Umbria.

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