Rocca Maggiore
Open today 10:00–17:00
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What's on here
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Why go
- Views from the fortress above Assisi.
- The childhood home of the future Emperor Frederick II, cared for here by the Duchess of Urslingen.
Plan your visit
Opening times
Closed on 25 Dec
From the venue's website · checked 28 Oct 2026
Don't miss
- Northwestern towerA twelve-sided tower linked to the fortress by a fortified corridor.Northwestern side of the fortress
- KeepOnce the castellan’s residence, the keep contains four rooms reached by a spiral staircase.Inside the fortress
- Pink limestone wallsThe trapezoid-shaped perimeter is built from pink limestone from Mount Subasio.Around the fortress
- Round bastion entranceA round artillery bastion marks the entrance.At the entrance
Interesting facts4
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The castle served as the principal defence of Assisi and the Tescio valley for more than eight centuries.
Rocca Maggiore - Wikipedia -
Protected swifts and bats use the fortress as a breeding site or refuge.
Rocca Maggiore - Wikipedia -
Traces of fighting remain visible on the fortress.
Rocca Maggiore - Wikipedia -
1980
In 1980, Poste Italiane featured the fortress on an 800-lire stamp in its “Castelli d’Italia” collection.
Rocca Maggiore - Wikipedia
Shorts
History
Albornoz’s rebuilding formed part of preparations for the popes’ return from exile in Avignon.
- 1173The fortress was first documented during Christian of Mainz’s occupation of Assisi for Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa.
- 1198Townspeople expelled the imperial legate and young Frederick, damaging the fortress.
- 1316The present structure, comprising the Major and Minor fortresses, was built.
- 1356Cardinal Albornoz began reconstruction, retaining the medieval layout.
- 1360Albornoz commissioned Rocca Minore to strengthen the mountain-facing defences.
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- 1458Jacopo Piccinino began the northwestern tower, later completed by Pope Pius II.
- 1478The square structure beneath the main tower was renovated.
- 1535Pope Paul III commissioned the round bastion.
- 1538The fortress was completed after more than a century of work.
- 1972Scenes for Franco Zeffirelli’s Brother Sun, Sister Moon were filmed inside the fortress.
What's inside
- An enclosed courtyard, relatively small compared with the whole complex, with former service rooms.
- An exhibition about Calendimaggio, Assisi’s spring festival.
Tips for your visit
- Allow for a climb to reach the fortress.
How to get there
- On footReach the fortress on foot through Porta Perlici, a city gate built in 1316.
Sources: Rocca Maggiore - Wikipedia · Assisi - Wikivoyage (see) · Rocca Maggiore - Wikipedia · Rocca Maggiore - Wikipedia · checked 27 Sep 2026
- Phone
- +390758138680
Questions and answers
How is Rocca Maggiore connected to Rocca Minore?
Fourteenth-century walls link the main fortress to Rocca Minore, also called the Keep of St. Anthony.
Why was no artificial mound needed beneath Rocca Maggiore?
The fortress stands on a natural rocky peak, so its builders did not need to construct a motte, or artificial defensive mound.
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