The Rocca, majestically rising on top of the Cesubeo hill, narrates the history of Bertinoro in all its vicissitudes. The first documentary reference to the Castle dates from 995, which records a “placitum” between the chief Romagna noblemen and the Archbishop of Ravenna’s envoys. Coveted for its strategic value, the fortress was not only used for military purposes. From mid-15th century, with the rule of Malatesta family and later with the bishops of Bertinoro, the Fortress became a cultural center: Domenico Novello Malatesta moved to the Fortress part of the bookshop of the future Library of San Francesco and the bishops, observing the dictates of the Council of Trent transformed it into a place of education and training. The history of the fortress can be viewed through a few important moments: In 1172 the Countess of Bertinoro Aldruda Frangipane provided relief to the city of Ancona that was besieged by the imperials of Archbishop Cristiano di Magonza. After the death of the countess, in 1177 the fortress became a fief of Emperor Federico I Barbarossa, who stayed there with his troops for about six months.
After the end of Suevian rule in Italy in 1278 Bertinoro came under the control of the Papal State.The fortress hosted the papal representatives in charge of the government of Romagna. Later, the fortress was disputed by powerful local nobles. In 1306 Pino and Scarpetta degli Ordelaffi took ownership and offered refuge to Dante Alighieri, who became their special secretary and ambassador. In 1357, the fortress was the head of the military command of Card. Egidio Albornoz, engaged in the military reconquest of Romagna. In 1361, following the partial destruction of Forlimpopoli, Bertinoro became an Episcopal centre. In 1379, the fortress was assigned as a feud to the Malatesta family from Rimini. In 1450 Domenico Novello Malatesta moved to the Fortress part of the bookshop of the convent of San Francesco, the future Malatesta Library. In 1584 Giovanni Andrea Caligari, Bishop of Bertinoro, restaured the fortress and obtained the right to live there by Pope Gregory XIII. In 1598, Pope Clement VIII extended this right to all bishops who succeeded Caligari. In this way, the fortress became the episcopal palace of the Diocese of Bertinoro. In 1613, the painter Corradino Romano completed the cycle of frescoes for the bishop’s dining room (current Sala Affrescata). In 1969, after the death of the last bishop of Bertinoro began the process of unification with the Diocese of Forlì. In 1986, the Fortress ended its function as an episcopal palace. In 2000, restoration work on the fortress was completed and rewarded by the “Europa Nostra” Association with the gold medal for the best restauration and revitalisation of a historical site in Italy. Thus the fortress became the site of the Bertinoro University Residential Centre. Since 2005 it has been the location of the Interreligious Museum, dedicated to the three great monotheistic religions of the Mediterranean (Judaism, Christianity and Islam).
The fortress can be visited as a part of the Interreligious Museum according to the availability on the following days: Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Fares:
Reduced ticket 5 euros for students, over 65 and accompanying parents of minors (family ticket).
Full price ticket 8 euros.
Free entrance for accompanying teachers, tour guides and children 0-8 years old.
Payments:
cash, bank transfer, Satispay.
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