Rocca Calascio is the name of both a small town and a castle in the province of L'Aquila City. It is located at the top of a mountain, at an altitude of 1, 460 meters above sea level and is the highest town in central Italy. The ancient town sits at the top, capped by the magnificent castle by the same name, and at the foot of the mountain is the modern town of Calascio. Both are located in the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park and are set in dramatic, scenic mountainous surroundings.
The town was founded in the Roman era and the castle traces its origins to this period, when a turret was built on the same site. Today, the castle and town are popular tourist destinations that can be visited for free and were part of the backdrop of several famous movies.
If you want to pay a visit for yourself to this extraordinary sight, just find a vacation rental in Abruzzo and spend a day wandering the town, castle and its grounds.
The town was founded in the Roman era and the castle traces its origins to this period, when a turret was built on the same site. Today, the castle and town are popular tourist destinations that can be visited for free and were part of the backdrop of several famous movies.
If you want to pay a visit for yourself to this extraordinary sight, just find a vacation rental in Abruzzo and spend a day wandering the town, castle and its grounds.
While the town's origins can be attributed to the Romans, it wasn't until the Middle Ages that a settlement of normal citizens really developed around the turret that served as a precursor to the castle that stands there today.
Houses were built around the area, a defensive wall was constructed to circle the town and the castle was erected.
After power struggles in the 15th century, the lands were given to Pope Pio II's nephew, Antonio Piccolomini, and he added more defensive walls around the town and four circular turrets around the castle itself to fortify it against future attacks. It is because of this that the castle developed into the striking and impressive building that can be seen there today.
Houses were built around the area, a defensive wall was constructed to circle the town and the castle was erected.
After power struggles in the 15th century, the lands were given to Pope Pio II's nephew, Antonio Piccolomini, and he added more defensive walls around the town and four circular turrets around the castle itself to fortify it against future attacks. It is because of this that the castle developed into the striking and impressive building that can be seen there today.
After an earthquake in the 18th century, the town was largely abandoned for more accessible places and, due to this, it is a well-preserved tourist destination that people visit in order to experience a little of the Medieval period.
The fantastical appearance of the town and castle has captured imaginations for a long time and has even caught the eye of Hollywood in the past. Movies such as “Ladyhawke” and “The Name of the Rose” were filmed in the town and added to the romance and renown of the site.
Today, a visit is a must for anyone in this part of Italy and will allow you to take in the breathtaking vistas the town offers across the surrounding landscape as well as the Medieval beauty of the town and castle.
The fantastical appearance of the town and castle has captured imaginations for a long time and has even caught the eye of Hollywood in the past. Movies such as “Ladyhawke” and “The Name of the Rose” were filmed in the town and added to the romance and renown of the site.
Today, a visit is a must for anyone in this part of Italy and will allow you to take in the breathtaking vistas the town offers across the surrounding landscape as well as the Medieval beauty of the town and castle.
Photo credits
Picture 1: SilviaManno / CC BY-SA 3.0;
Picture 2: Renano / CC BY-SA 3.0
Picture 1: SilviaManno / CC BY-SA 3.0;
Picture 2: Renano / CC BY-SA 3.0
