FORTRESS RUINS
The ruins overlook the whole town from their hilltop position.
FORTRESS RUINS
The poet and statesman Girolamo Graziani (1604-1675) was born here.
A fortified tower existed here even before the foundation of Pergola. This was enlarged by Duke Federico da Montefeltro after 1459. The work was entrusted to the Sienese architect Francesco di Giorgio Martini who built an imposing and impregnable fortress. In the struggle against Cesare Borgia in the early 16th century, Duke Guidobaldo da Montefeltro ordered the demolition of the fortress to prevent it falling into enemy hands. Work on the construction of a convent dedicated to Saint Victoria began in 1565 but the project remained unfinished due to a lack of funds.
Today you can only see the 19th-century style Palazzo Fulvi, two ruined towers and the perimeter walls, now surrounded by natural vegetation.
The ancient town walls descended from the Rocca as far as Piazza Fulvi. The Sant’Andrea Gate, which was demolished in 1686, stood where the former Palazzo Malatesta stands today. The walls then continued along Via XX Settembre where a typical 15th century house can still be seen, and which was probably built using stone taken from a tower in the town’s defensive system. At the beginning of Via Antonelli, the walls rose up to Porta San Marco, which still exists today. The Tinte district remained outside the walls. After passing the church of Saint Francis, the walls continued to the end of what is now Corso Matteotti, reaching the Piaggiola Gate, which was demolished in 1616. From here they advanced up the hill, following the present-day Via VIII Settembre, reaching the Campetello Gate at the end and then returning to the Rocca.
Looking north-west from the Rocca, you can see the Church of Santa Maria dell’Olmo at the end of Via Raffaello, between Viale Catria and Via Monte Nerone. This was built toward the end of the 17th century following the mysterious discovery of an image of the Virgin Mary among the branches of an elm tree. The interior is decorated with stuccoes and plaster statues. The high altar houses the miraculous image of the Virgin while the two side altars house paintings of popular themes. Externally, the building features characterized by a typical bell-gable. Gradually descending tile roofs over the apse, however, ensure that this small Marian church is easily recognisable.