Roccascalegna 2

The village and castle of Roccascalegna

Roccascalegna is a small village in the province of Chieti in Abruzzo that has guarded 'la Rocca' for centuries. This Longobard outpost is located in a dominant position above the ancient houses, as if suspended in the void, it accompanies the visitor as soon as he enters the village. The name Roccascalegna itself has something to do with this ancient castle: Roccascalegna in fact derives from 'Rocca con scala di legno', that staircase that leads from the village directly to the castle tower and is now also visible in the municipal coat of arms.

Founded by the Lombards in the 12th century, precisely in 1160, the castle had a dual function: that of controlling the Rio Secco Valley below and that of defence as a consequence of the arrival of the Byzantines on the Adriatic coast. Initially, the structure consisted only of a watchtower and later the complex was enlarged until it took on the appearance of today's layout.

However, the fortress, so called by the villagers, saw alternating phases of oblivion and abandonment. The first restoration, after a period of oblivion, took place in 1525 and then fell into a period of obscurity until 1705, when a ramp was added for direct access to the structure and some restoration work was carried out.

But the date that marked the return to splendour of the fortress was 1985, when the Croce Nanni family donated the castle to the municipality, which carried out a massive renovation that ended in 1996.

Today, the defensive structure can be visited and is accessible from the centre of the village via a flight of steps where it is still possible to see the remains of the old drawbridge.