La Rocca - Passignano
The Fortress of Passignano rises within the village, slightly raised above the town that developed later along the lake shore. Passignano means literally “Place of the Step”. That probably refers to the existence of a Roman military structure that controlled the famous “Step”, a connecting road between the North and South of the peninsula.
Currently the fortress contains the ruins of the ancient original building, including the square-shaped walls, an half-destroyed tower and the northern part of the medieval castle, with the triangular tower. In addition, a series of alleyways climb up within the old town, leading to think how the viability used to be within the castle.
The fortress’s origins can be dated back to the Lombard period (5th, 6th century) but probably the square-shaped walls were built between 820 and 850 by the Marquis of Tuscany, owners of that area until the 11th century.
The fortress’s origins can be dated back to the Lombard period (5th, 6th century) but probably the square-shaped walls were built between 820 and 850 by the Marquis of Tuscany, owners of that area until the 11th century.