Rocca Calascio

Rocca Calascio, L'Aquila, Italy

Rocca Calascio is one of the most beautiful fortresses in the world according to the prestigious international magazine National Geographic.

The fortress of Rocca Calascio, located at 1460 meters above sea level, is among the highest fortifications in Italy and dominates the Tirino valley and the Navelli plain from this height. Its system was exclusively for military use and is characterized by the ability with which it manages to merge with the impervious surrounding area, from which it is not conditioned at all; it is evident that his is an absolutely favorable position from a defensive point of view. The structure, in very white stone, has a square plan: at the corners it has four cylindrical towers considerably sloping and a square keep in the center, which constitutes the innermost military defense body of the castle. The fortress was accessed via an entrance located on the east side, about 5 meters high, reachable from the external courtyard below by means of a retractable wooden staircase which was placed on two stone shelves still visible below the entrance threshold. Very effective military observation point, it allowed to communicate with the other castles, up to the Adriatic coast, with the help of torches during the night and mirrors during the day. At the foot of the fortress there are also the ruins of the ancient village, to which it is connected with a wooden bridge.

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