Rocca Estense, Medieval fortress in Camporgiano, Italy
Rocca Estense is a medieval fortress on a rocky elevation in Camporgiano with trapezoidal walls and truncated-conical corner towers rising above the main square. The structure features walkways along its walls that offer views of the Serchio valley.
The fortress was built around 1500 and served as a defensive stronghold for the Este family until Italian unification. An earthquake in 1920 caused damage to the structure.
The fortress houses a collection of Renaissance ceramics that demonstrates artistic skill across several centuries. Visitors can observe how craftsmanship and design shaped this region's heritage.
The fortress sits on Via Alberto Bertolini and is easily reached from the town's main square. Visitors should expect uneven stone surfaces and several steps when exploring the walls and viewpoints.
At the summit sits a hanging garden with conifers, creating an unexpected quiet space atop the medieval structure. At its base stands an old stone fountain called the Pilon, which preserves a rural element of the site's past.
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