Rocca Malatestiana, Medieval fortress on Garampo Hill in Cesena, Italy
The Rocca Malatestiana is a medieval fortress on Garampo Hill in Cesena with two main towers connected by bridgeways and defensive walls. From its position high above the city, it overlooks the landscape toward the sea.
Construction of the fortress began in 1380 under Galeotto Malatesta and took its current form during renovations in the 1470s. These modifications adapted the structure to changing military needs of the time.
The Museum of Peasant Civilization in one of the towers shows how farming families lived and worked through objects from past times. You can see tools and everyday items that reveal the rhythms of rural life.
Access to the fortress runs from Piazza del Popolo up the hill along marked paths and stairs. Guided tours are offered and can help you understand the layout and history more fully.
Leonardo da Vinci visited the fortress in 1502 and sketched its defensive features in detail. These drawings remain preserved in an archive in Paris and reveal his keen interest in military engineering.
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