The Sforzesca fortress (Rocca Sforzesca) is a splendid example of fortified architecture between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, its origins date back to 1261. Nine quadrangular towers stood on the perimeter of the original structure, only a tenth tower, the keep, still stands in the center of the internal courtyard.
The Church of Rome, the noble families of the Alidosi, the Visconti then the Manfredi led Imola and the Rocca. However, it was at the end of the fifteenth century that the complete Renaissance transformation of the building began with the Sforza family, which continued with the new lord of Imola Girolamo Riario, nephew of Pope Sixtus IV and husband of Caterina Sforza.
Starting from 1480 the square corner towers were incorporated into new and thicker circular towers capable of withstanding the blows of the bombards, and the construction of a residence, the Palazzetto, was also started. The death of Pope Sixtus IV marks the beginning of the crisis of the Riario Sforza lordship over the city, up to the siege of the fortress by Cesare Borgia, known as Valentino, who in 1499 decreed the return of a direct papal dominion.
The Valentino then in 1502 resorted to the advice of Leonardo da Vinci to inspect the fortresses of Romagna, including the one in Imola: the map of Imola that Leonardo laid out, where the Rocca is also clearly visible, is testament to this. Finally, with the definitive annexation of Imola to the papal state, the use of the fortress' rooms as a prison is strengthened, a situation that continued until 1958 when the restoration began and the Sforza monument was designated as a museum.
Sforzesca fortress
Address: Piazzale Giovanni Dalle Bande Nere, 40026
Phone: 0542 602609
Site:
http://museiciviciimola.it/rocca-sforzesca-imola/Location inserted by
Mauro Monti