Rocca - Center for contemporary art

Superb medieval fortress symbol of the city. On its construction some authors say that the works began in July 1374, others that the task of building the Rocca was entrusted by Perugia to Guidalotti in 1385, during the struggles between nobles and commoners. The opinions are instead in agreement that the work was completed in 1389 and that the director of the works was Alberto Guidalotti and the architect Angeluccio di Ceccolo, known as Il Trocascio, designed. The fortress consists of a square tower of m. 7.60 side and m. 31.60 in height in front of the Reggia stream. The solid walls are thick at the base m. 2.20. Two smaller circular towers and a third square rampart are connected to the inside of the city. Today the Rocca has only one door in Piazza Fortebracci, but once it had another door in the direction of the Royal Palace, called "the rescue", both equipped with drawbridges. In 1394 in the Rocca was held prisoner Braccio Fortebracci da Montone. In 1984 the municipal administration began the restoration of the structure and after an intense commitment to design and work, the fortress, May 17, 1986, was returned to the city. The renovation of the old fortress was conceived in such a way as to allow the recovery of its historical identity and the complete use of the premises. Some structural changes have been made, although strictly respecting the original core. The most important novelty is given by the entrance created at the base of the walls of the left tower, to allow the connection of the Piazza del Mercato with Piazza Fortebracci, through an evocative route in a vast space obtained by eliminating the land of carryover. This new entry also allows direct access from the Rocca to the Teatro dei Riuniti. Today the ancient rooms of the castle of Fratta house the "Center for Contemporary Art", a nationally known exhibition space.