The earliest records date back to 1200. Destroyed as early as 1595, it was the seat of the Municipality of Pondo until its suppression by decree of Napoleon. All that remains today is an imposing dry-stone wall and inside, vaulted rooms dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries.
The castle of Pondo, 421 metres above sea level, was the nearest and most important castle in the municipality of Mortano. On 22 November 1200 the abbot of St. Ellero confirmed it to the archbishop of Ravenna. In 1364, the castle was ceded to the Ubertini family, of the Count Guidi lineage. In its territory there was the villa of Collina with five hearths. Cardinal Anglico, in 1371, described the fortress as follows: ‘…it has a beautiful and fortified fortress and two very fortified towers…’.
From the Ubertini family, the castle passed to the Malatesta family; it was destroyed in 1404 by the Florentine Republic.
All that remains of the Pondo castle are walls and basement rooms.
How to get there:
To visit the castle of Pondo, you need to reach S. Sofia (km from Forlì – direction Meldola-S. Sofia-Passo della Calla) and then take the road to Collina di Pondo (4 km from Santa Sofia) and follow the signs for the ‘Rocche Castelli’ circuit.
Additional information:
The castle of Pondo has recently been included in the ‘Rocche e Castelli’ circuit, curated by the Comunità Montana Appennino Forlivese.
Can’t find what you are looking for?
Have you found incorrect or missing content?
Send a feedback to the Tourist Information Office of the relevant Municipality. Go to the tourist offices page.
