Rocca albornoziana in Narni en - Rocca albornoziana in Narni en

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Albornozian Fortress of Narni

The Rocca Albornoziana, or Albornoz Fortress, dominates Narni and the Nera River gorges from above.

This imposing building was part of a system of forts that the Papal State, after Avignon, built to protect the territory it had just re-conquered. Its dominant position perched above the city and its construction style are a clear indication of the Papal State's intent to control the area's communication routes with Perugia, Terni and Amelia.

We suggest you stop in to enjoy the spectacular views over the vast countryside, and to visit its museums and multimedia centre.

The fortress is square, its four corners fortified by towers and a moat and second wall for even further protection. The walls and the towers, crowned with corbels, embrace a courtyard that can be accessed via two elegant gates. The courtyard is square and on it are two buildings. An elegant staircase leads to the first floor, once a noble residence. The largest of the four towers is the keep and has a side that is 20 bracci wide and four storeys tall, plus a basement.

Narni

Construction on the fort began in 1367 on top of what was once a military settlement built by Federico Barbarossa. Just four years later, in 1371, Pietro, or perhaps Giovanni, di Nevico moved in as the first castellano. Work was completed in 1378. Several architects worked on the project, and historians presume that Ugolino I di Montemarte and Matteo Gattapone, who worked on several buildings being built by Cardinal Albornoz, were among them.

Between 1370 and 1449 the fortress was home to popes, cardinals and generals, its fate linked closely to theirs. In 1449 the plague forced Niccolò V to move in and he embarked a series of projects to enlarge its defensive structures. These projects were continued under Pope Sisto IV and then Innocence VIII until the end of the 15th century.

The fortress resisted numerous assaults and was governed by a long series of castellani until 1798 when, after Rome declared itself a Republic and Pius VI fled, French troops stripped the fortress of its weapons and took away its canons.

In the 19th century it was used as a prison and in 1906 it was bought for pittance by the Russian prince Mestschezsy. In 1972 it was purchased by a Roman family and is now owned by the City of Narni and the Province of Terni.

Cardinal Egidio De Albornoz (Cuenca, 1299 - Viterbo 1367), papal legate and vicar, worked to strengthen the power of the Church all over the papal state. He had castles and forts built everywhere he could - often designing them himself - to serve as a symbol of the power of the Church.

You can walk up Via del Monte to the complex, or drive up over the Flaminia towards Rome and then turn left.

The fortress still represents a royal window overlooking the Middle Ages of Narni. Through guided tours it is possible to enter one of the most evocative environments of the territory.

On the main floor, the thematic layout accompanies visitors through the fascinating medieval world; here, in fact, it is possible to admire reconstructions that represent a focus on the life of the fourteenth century.

You can access the two main historical emergencies of the Narni Municipality - the Albornoz fortress and the Museum of the city and territory of Narni in Palazzo Eroli - with a single ticket.

INFORMATION

Address

Via Feronia, 05035 Narni TR

Opening hours

Opening April 29

Tuesday through Friday

10.00-13.30 / 14.30-19.00

Saturday and Sunday

10.30 / 19.00

Contact

www.archeoares.it/musei/narni/

narni@archeoares.it