Colonnalta Fortress in San Ginesio

History of the Colonnalta Fortress

The castle was built from the 13th century onward, when the Brunforte family controlled many lands between Sarnano and San Ginesio. In 1265 San Ginesio attacked it, claiming that territory. The conflict lasted until 1272, when Brunforte rule was confirmed, but only in 1330 did the town of San Ginesio gain full control of it.

From the second half of the 14th century the fortress passed to the Da Varano of Camerino, then to Francesco Sforza. Around the middle of the 15th century it returned to San Ginesio. In 1664, after a period of abandonment, the town used the building's stones to restore the church of Santa Maria di Pieca and to build the hamlet. The walls were lowered, and the reuse of stone continued until the 1950s.

Some scholars suggest an older, Crusader origin, because of its four-sided plan similar to that of the Krak des Chevaliers in Syria. Local tradition also tells the well-known legend of the "golden loom" (telaio d'oro), buried beneath the fortress.

What to see at the Colonnalta Fortress

Sections of the towers, the main walls, the keep and the defensive walls that surrounded the complex remain. Excavations by Sapienza University of Rome in the 2000s brought to light about 2,500 ceramic pieces. They include everyday objects, such as bottles and plates, and fine pieces, some from Deruta and Tuscany.

How to visit the Colonnalta Fortress

From where the car is left, the walk is about a kilometer, longer if parking further away. The path is graveled at first, then enters the vegetation, which at certain times of year can be tall.

Before visiting, it is worth checking whether the interior is accessible. Along the way, follow the signs and any posted prohibitions. Check the weather before setting out.

Where the Colonnalta Fortress is located

The fortress is in the hamlet of Rocca Colonnalta, in San Ginesio, in the National Park of the Sibillini Mountains and near the border with Sarnano. The village is about two km from the state road, in a wood on the slopes of the mountain. The site is a gateway to one of the entrances to the Park for those arriving from the Adriatic coast.

Around the Colonnalta Fortress

Sarnano is close by. Another landmark is the church of Santa Maria di Pieca, restored in the 17th century with stones from the fortress. Other fortifications in the area, such as Pallotta Castle (Caldarola) and the Beldiletto Castle (Valfornace), have their own pages. An overview is on the page castles and fortresses of the Sibillini.