Rocca Paolina – between resistance and culture

History and description

Built between 1540 and 1543 by order of Pope Paul III Farnese—who gave it its name—the fortress was intended to demonstrate the strength of papal power after the War of Salt. From the very beginning, it appeared as a Renaissance bastioned fortress towering over the city. Despite suppressing several uprisings, after the annexation to the Kingdom of Italy it was almost completely demolished. Of the original project, it is believed that three main sections once existed: the papal palace, the corridor and the ravelin, along with Porta Marzia, an Etruscan monument, and the underground passages, which are still preserved today with some original traces.

Curiosities

Among the underground corridors still open to visitors, some—such as the so-called Passage of Forgiveness—are said to have been secret, used for religious processions or as sudden escape routes.

Access

The fortress is freely accessible, with fixed opening hours only for the escalators (open almost until dawn) and for exhibitions and intact interior halls.

How to reach it

Located in the heart of Perugia’s historic center, the Rocca can be reached by car, parking in Piazza Partigiani, or by train and bus, followed by a short walk.

A true symbol of papal domination, Rocca Paolina also stands as proof of how, from a negative moment in the city’s history—marked by oppression—there could emerge a cultural element still deeply integrated into today’s urban life.

Cover photo credits: Cris Foto