Castrocaro'S Fortress

This impressive Castle is considered to be by experts one of the best examples of medieval fortified architecture.

Address: Via Fortezza, 1, 47011 Castrocaro Terme (FC), Italia

Telephone number: Castrocaro's Pro Loco: +39.0543.769541 - IAT Office: +39.0543.767162
Fax: Castrocaro's Pro Loco: +39.0543.769541 - IAT Office: +39.0543.769326

Mail: info@proloco-castrocaro.it

Sito WEB: http://www.proloco-castrocaro.it

Admission: Euro 5,00

Reduced rates

Euro 4,00 (from 10 to 14 years and over 65 years)

Accessibility

Castrocaro's medieval suburbs

Description

There is a spot in which the Montone Valley gradually broadens out on the Forlì plain; that's where you can see Castrocaro's crag, characterised by its impressive fortress. An interesting landscape has been towering above the down town for a millennium. The fortress seems to be completing the appearance of the crag. Colours and materials have melt with each other; the structure enlargements succeeded along the Middle Ages and the Renaissance have made the fortress harmonic with the morphology of the ground. As a result, the fortress adapts perfectly to the landscape. The Castrocaro Fortess is composed of three architectural defensive works: the 'Girone', the 'Rocca' and the 'Cannoniere' (De' Medici Arsenals). The first is the most ancient part; it is characterised by the 'Maschio' a huge pentagonal-based tower, 32 mt. high, dating back to before year one thousand. The 'Rocca' is the Girone's expansion, made in XIII, XIV century. It includes the Entries (the first having a drawbridge, the Guards Corps, the Little Court and the Grand Court, the Lord's Palace and the Sentry Tower, also known as 'jails', because of its dungeon. The 'Cannoniere' are an impressive innovation as far as fortified architecture is concerned. A prototype on which Forentin military architects tried out some brilliant innovations, meant to adapt the fortufied structures to very powerful artillery. The 'Cannoniere' are characterised by an enormous terracotta wall and are composed of three huge spaces: the first one is en plein air, whereas the other two have barrel vaults. In an evocative hall of the castle, there are some olive oil from the valley exposed and to be tasted as well, thanks to The Wine and Dine Route's wine shop, promoted by Pro Loco.

Opening time

March, April, May and October:
Saturday from 3.00pm to 7.00pm; Sunday and festive from 10.00am to 1.00pm and from 3.00pm to 7.00pm
From on June 1° to September 30:

Saturday from 4.00pm to 8.00pm
Sunday and festive from her 10.00 to the 1.00 pm and from 4.00 to the 8.00 pm.

November: Saturday from 3.00pm to 7.00pm; Sunday and festive from 10.00am to 1.00pm and from 3.00pm to 7.00pm

December: Saturday 3from 3.00pm to 7.00pm
Sunday 4th from 10.00am to 1.00pm and from 3.00pm to 7.00pm

News

The fortress can be visited on other days by previous booking.
Ther areas that can be visited are:
the 'Torre delle Segrete' (Dungeon's Tower), dating back to the XIV century, in which you can see the 'Stanza dei Tormenti' (Torments Room);
Santa Barbara's church (XIII - XIV centuries), containing ancient paintings and furniture;
Grotte trogloditiche - Piccola Corte (Trogloditic Caves - Little Court), with an olive of the XVI century);
the 'Palazzo del Castellano' (Lord's Palace), where you can see: the Historical Museum (The Eagle, The Keys, the Lily), Ancient Weapons and furniture (Permanent exhibition), wine shop of Forlì-Cesena's Wine and Dine Route.