Rocca di Albornoz, Medieval fortress in Narni, Italy
Rocca di Albornoz is a medieval fortress sitting on a hilltop above Narni with four corner towers and a larger square tower overlooking the valley below. The site now holds a Street Art Museum inside displaying works from artists around the world.
A cardinal built the fortress in the 1300s on top of ruins from an earlier settlement controlled by a Holy Roman Emperor in the 1100s. This layering shows how this location remained important for control over the region across different periods.
The name honors the cardinal who ordered its construction and reflects the church's power during the 1300s. Visitors can observe how the layout of the two garden sections reveals which plants and herbs people grew and relied on for daily life.
Reaching the fortress requires climbing a hill, so wear comfortable shoes as the paths are steep and uneven. Plan time to explore both the fort and the museum inside to get the full experience of the site.
A large water cistern made of travertine stone is built so that it opens directly into the courtyard, showing how medieval castles solved water supply problems. This system works without modern pumps and remains an example of practical medieval engineering still visible today.
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