Campolarzo Fortress in Camerino

History of the Campolarzo Fortress

The name already appears in 1240, in the form "Campularzum", in the privilege with which Cardinal Sinibaldo Fieschi granted municipal liberties to the people of Camerino. During the 13th century the fortress depended on the castle of Statte. The tower of Campolarzo was part, together with those of Valcimarra and Bistocco, of the defensive system along the Chienti valley built by the Da Varano between the 13th and 14th centuries.

In the "Descriptio Marchiae" of Cardinal Albornoz (1356/1363) the fortress is held by a son of Fidesimido da Varano. In the Duchy's inventory of 1502, drawn up in the Borgia period, Campolarzo is listed with its fortress and 12 hearths (households). In 1515 it appears among the 13 fortresses of the Camerino countryside named in the bull with which Leo X invested Giovanni Maria da Varano. After 1539, when the Duchy of Camerino passed to the Papal States, the medieval defensive system lost most of its military functions.

What to see at the Campolarzo Fortress

Ruins remain at the site. The Varano defensive system included a tower at Campolarzo, together with those of Valcimarra and Bistocco.

How to visit the Campolarzo Fortress

As these are ruins, before setting out it is worth checking the accessibility of the area and the condition of the structures.

Where the Campolarzo Fortress is located

The fortress stands in Campolarzo, a hamlet of the municipality of Camerino, along the former state road 77 linking Tolentino to Camerino. Varano Fortress in Camerino and the village of Fiungo are not far away. They belonged to the same eastern defensive line of the Camerino system.

Around the Campolarzo Fortress

From the hamlet of Campolarzo, near a stone quarry, an uphill road on the right leads to the Cascatelle di Statte, small waterfalls. Continuing uphill, the road passes the church of the Madonna della Misericordia (15th century), then turns right toward the Castello di Statte.

Rocca Varano is an old fortress on a rocky spur just outside the center of Camerino. Along the provincial road between Caldarola and Camerino, near the Lago di Caccamo, are the castles of Pievefavera, Valcimarra and Bistocco. Those interested in this kind of place can see the page on castles and fortresses of the Sibillini.