The history of Albornoz fortress is connected to that of Innocent VI and his policy, considered the best of all the Avignon popes. Trying to restore order in Rome, he appointed as his legate for Italy the Spanish Cardinal Egidio AlbornozThe aim was to bring back to the papal control the great Italian cities. After reconquering all the Church's lands, around 1360, the Spanish leader began a project to fortify the state military.
The “politics of the Fortresses” and the Albornoz Fortress
Thanks to this project, defined as the “Rocche policy”, a series of large castles arose and existing buildings were fortified. Thus, a sort of armed backbone was structured which involved the following regions: Romagna, Marche, Umbria and Lazio. In this way, the territories reconquered by the Church were under military control, which guarded the urban centers and the most crucial junction points. Furthermore, the relative populations would have tangibly felt the effective presence of thecentral ecclesiastical authorityThe Fortress of Orvieto it was built in 1364 over the thirteenth-century Soliana Gate, a strategic access point to the city, on the eastern edge of the cliff. Its construction was entrusted to the Count Ugolino of Montemarte, military architect of Albornoz. Quadrilateral in shape, the fortress was surrounded by a wide moat and several drawbridges. Unfortunately, in 1390 it was destroyed due to internal conflicts within the city, which particularly concerned the Monaldeschi.
Its infinite transformations
Due to its strategic importance for Orvieto and its surroundings, the Albornoz Fortress was the object of continuous battles. Aimportant reconstruction it happened by will of Nicholas V. He performed it Anthony from Carpi, on the old perimeter in 1450-52, with the addition of the circular tower. In 1527, at the behest of Clement VII, Antonio da Sangallo the Younger built the famous St. Patrick's wellConceived as a water supply for the fortification itself and the city. fortress it was later completed by Urban VIII in 1620 and later restored by Alexander VII. It remained in operation as military structure throughout the eighteenth century. Largely demolished in 1831, it began a period of great decline, but ten years later the Orvieto Francesco Ricchi He took it on emphyteusis. He had a amphitheatre with steps and stages, from where one could watch horse races and popular events, and he oversaw the construction of the gardens.
The fortress today
In 1888 the ditches were filled for the works of the current funicolare. Given the numerous demolitions it has undergone and the structural changes, obviously only some parts have reached us intact. From below the view is spectacular: the walls and the tower, fixed in their majesty, seem to merge into the tuff rock. And the fortress appears to the eye almost as if a sculpture in the rockToday, inside it, there are some public gardens, and you can still admire the house that gave birth to the famous journalist Luigi BarziniIt is sometimes used to host markets, shows, cultural, recreational, or food and wine events. Furthermore, from the stands you can enjoy a splendid panorama on the countryside surrounding Orvieto, including the Paglia river valley.
