Roccascalegna Castle

Perched dramatically on a cliff in the picturesque Abruzzo region of Italy, Castello di Roccascalegna (Roccascalegna Castle) is more than just a medieval fortress it is a gateway to the past. With its stunning architecture and rich history, this enchanting castle invites visitors to step back in time and explore a world of legends and lore.

The castle was originally built in the 11th century as a defensive structure to protect the area from raids and invasion. Built by the Lombards it has changed hands several times, from the Normans to the Angevins. It became a fiefdom of the Annechino family (1450-1530), the Carafa family (1531-1600), the De Corvis family (1600-1717), the Nanni family and finally the Nanni-Croce family who maintained the castle from 1806 until 1980, when they donated it to the Municipality. Over the centuries the castle was significantly transformed, adding to its grandeur and fortifications.

The castle's design is a masterclass in medieval fortification. Built on a massive limestone rock, Roccascalegna Castle offers sweeping views of the surrounding countryside, an essential feature for spotting potential invaders. Its most striking feature is the towering keep at the rock's highest point, which provided a stronghold within a stronghold.

The castle is steeped in tales of knights and battles, with stories passed down through generations. These legends often highlight themes of bravery and sacrifice, making the castle a focal point of local pride and cultural narratives.

The most well-known legend of Roccascalegna Castle centers around Baron Corvo de Corvis (the Crow Baron), a 17th-century nobleman who is said to have ruled the area with an iron fist. According to the tale, Baron Corvis revived the ancient and long-abandoned "jus primae noctis" (right of the first night), a feudal law that granted lords the right to sleep with any bride from their lands on her wedding night. This barbaric demand sparked outrage among the locals. As fate would have it during his attempt to claim his so-called right to a bride the Baron was stabbed to death. It is unclear if it was the bride or if it was a man dressed as a bride who stabbed the Baron. The Baron stumbled leaving a bloody handprint on the tower wall, which later collapsed in 1940. No matter how hard they attempted to remove the stain it always managed to reappear. Even after the tower collapsed elderly people have seen the hand of blood. Locals say that Baron Corvis' ghost haunts the castle roaming the halls at night.

A more fantastical legend involves a dragon that terrorized the surrounding villages. The dragon made his home on the cliffs near Roccascalegna and would fly out at night and devour livestock and villagers. The villagers sought protection from the lords of the castle. A brave knight emerged and in a dramatic confrontation slayed the ferocious dragon, its body crashing into the valley below. The legend of the dragon still remains as locals say on stormy nights you can still hear the roar echoing through the hills.

Around the start of the 18th century the castle was abandoned and fell prey to the weather, looting and neglect. Fortunately, the municipality of Roccascalegna took over the fortress in 1980 and began restoration work to preserve its history and restore it to its former glory.

Today, Roccascalegna Castle is accessible to the public, attracting visitors from around the world. You can still see the drawbridge, barbican, and various towers that made the castle a formidable defensive structure. These features not only served practical purposes but also add to the castle's dramatic aesthetic. The journey to the castle involves a scenic hike that offers panoramic views of the Majella National Park and the Sangro Valley.

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