Castellaccio

Not far from the historic center, on a hill, is the Castellaccio. It dominates the center of Rocca San Casciano and can be seen in several places above the roofs of the elegant Tuscan houses in the village. The stone and mortar fortress was built around the year 1000 (11th century), probably by the Calboli counts of Calbola. The latter had their main castle in Calboli (a place between Rocca San Casciano, Dovadola and Predappio). In 1197, the term “Rocca Sancti Cassiani in Casatico ” is mentioned for the first time in a document, which seems to indicate the existence of a castle that can be traced back to the one known today as Castellaccio. From the beginning, the purpose of the construction was to defend the ancient medieval village against enemies and to control the Apennine passes in the area. The history of this monument is linked to the ancient rivalry between the Ordelaffi Ghibellines and the De’ Calboli Guelphs.

In fact, at the end of the 14th century, Francesco De’ Calboli left all his possessions to the Republic of Florence.

The Castellaccio was largely destroyed by the earthquake of 1661. All that remains of the original large castle is the sturdy 15-meter tower, an ancient watchtower and large sections of the walls that have recently been uncovered.

Castellaccio is an old military fortress. In 1661 a terrible earthquake destroyed almost the entire structure; a tower and some parts of the defensive walls were not damaged; today they’re an example of medieval military architecture.