Albornoz Fortress

The Rocca Albornoz is an imposing fortress which rises on the Colle Sant'Elia, in a strategic position dominating the whole valley of Spoleto. Built starting from 1359, it is part of a series of fortresses wanted by Pope Innocent VI to re-establish the authority of the Pontiff, who was then living in Avignon, in the territories of central Italy that were part of the State of the Church. To carry out his project, the Pope sent to Italy the powerful Spanish Cardinal Egidio Albornoz, from whom the castle of Spoleto takes its name, who entrusted Matteo di Giovannello da Gubbio, called "il Gattapone", with the direction of the works, which lasted until about 1370. The Spoleto fortress was therefore the pivot of the defensive system placed to control the Flaminia and from which military actions aimed at recovering the territories of Umbria, Marche and Romagna started. Over the years, it also became the residence of the rectors of the Duchy, the governors of the city and the papal legates. The fortress was enriched with decorations and frescoes, many of which were lost from 1816, when the structure was transformed into a prison, a function it maintained until 1982.