Assisi has the appearance and character of a medieval town: it is enclosed by defensive walls and is dominated from above by the two fortresses that were built to protect the town from outside attacks by enemies
The Rocca Maggiore can be clearly seen from the plain and is open to the public, while the smaller Rocca Minore is hidden by the hill on which the town stands and is currently closed to the public, awaiting restoration. Both were built by Cardinal Egidio Albornoz, who during the second half of the 1300s decided to reorganize the defensive system of Assisi and restore the city gates.
The Rocca Minore was built with Mt. Subasio limestone on the eastern side of the town to defend it from attacks coming from the mountain. It was originally connected to the other fortress by a stretch of the defensive walls. It is known by the people of Assisi as the “Rocchicciola” and was also called Cassero di Sant’Antonio (Keep of St. Anthony), a name that comes from the gate and the church facing it, both once named after Saint Anthony.
The structure consists of: a keep, the central core of the building, closed off by defensive walls with loopholes; a tower approximately 32 meters high, divided into several floors; and a small chapel (dedicated to the Crucifix) dating from the 15th century. Inside the chapel there is a fresco of Christ on the Cross between the Virgin and Saint John painted by Matteo da Gualdo in 1456. The ground remains mainly on the same level; in the courtyard there were some areas for daily use: the oven, the fireplace, the kitchen, the stable, the cistern and a drawbridge.
In 1450 the fortress suffered serious damage during the sack of the town by Niccolò Piccinino’s band of mercenaries, and in the second half of the 16th century it began to be gradually abandoned. The complex underwent periodic restoration works, starting from 1877, when it was purchased by the Municipality.
Today it is the seat of the Brotherhood of the Knights of the Hill of Paradise, founded in 1926 by the podesta of Assisi, Arnaldo Fortini. The edifice is located on the slopes of Mt. Subasio, from where a trail through the woods begins that offers a one hour-long walk to the Eremo delle Carceri, quite popular with hikers.
Audio guide: included in the audio guide that can be purchased at the I.A.T. in Piazza del Comune
Audio guide languages: Italian, English, French, German, Spanish
Guided tours: no
Restrooms: no
Infopoint: no
Shops: no
Refreshment points: no
Cloakroom: no
Accessibility: not accessible.
At present can be visited only from the outside.
Admission: free.
Via Renzo Rosati, 99
The Rocca Minore is located outside Porta Cappuccini.
On foot: the Rocca can be reached by going up a white stone road that begins on the left after passing through Porta Cappuccini.
By bus: there is no public transportation that arrives at the Rocca Minore; the closest stop is Line C at Piazza Matteotti and Line A-B, V. S. Carceri stop.
By car: vehicles can park in the Piazza Matteotti pay lot.
