Spoleto, for the first time the Albornoz Fortress opens its towers to the public

In Spoleto, starting June 1, 2024, visitors will be able to access for the first time the scenic routes on top of the towers of Spoleto’s Rocca Albornoz fortress, thanks to special guided tours by reservation. This intervention was made possible by funding from the Ministry of Culture as part of Major Cultural Heritage Projects and the European Union, obtained through the Region of Umbria and the Municipality of Spoleto.

The itinerary winds through tunnels and ancient prisons, allowing visitors to go from one tower to another via the ancient military walkways. Visitors will be able to explore environments that have never been open to the public, enriched by videos and educational material illustrating the history of the fortress and the activities that have taken place within its walls over the centuries.

The Towers paths narrate life in the Fortress from the time of its construction in the mid-14th century to the life of the prisoners between the 19th and 20th centuries. The tour includes tales about the Via Flaminia and the various groups of people-pilgrims, merchants, peasants, clergymen, men-at-arms and travelers-who passed through it over the centuries.

Leaving the rooms decorated with graffiti left by prisoners, visitors will reach the panoramic terraces for breathtaking views of the Spoleto area. Visible points of interest include Monteluco, the Ponte delle Torri with the Fortilizio dei Mulini, Spoleto Cathedral and the Theodelapio. Each site will be illustrated with special tools to enrich the experience.

At the same time as the opening of the Towers routes, the Malborghetto garden will also be inaugurated, a space with free access that extends into the area with the oldest traces of anthropization on Sant’Elia Hill. Created in collaboration with the Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio dell’Umbria, the garden serves as a link between the Rocca and the city. It has been equipped with an area for performances and children’s games, offering a new public space for the citizens of Spoleto and visitors to the Rocca.

Visits to the walkways of the Towers are managed by Sistema Museo and organized in groups of a maximum of 13 people for a duration of about an hour. Reservations are recommended by sending an email to museoducatospoleto@sistemamuseo.it. Visitors should arrive at the museum ticket office 15 minutes before the departure time.

Tour Departure Times: Friday: 5 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday and Holidays: 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. In case of adverse weather conditions, the Management reserves the right to suspend the tour service. Fees: full 15 euros, reduced 18-25 years old and concessionary 10 euros, reduced 12-17 years old and school groups 8 euros. Admission is valid for the Albornoz Fortress and the National Museum of the Duchy of Spoleto and for the accompanied tour of the towers. On the first Sunday of the month and free admission days promoted by the Ministry of Culture, the fee for visiting the towers is 10 euros. It is possible to book the Visit of the Towers on other days and times than the regular ones by emailing museoducatospoleto@sistemamuseo.it: visit Group of 13 participants according to the above rates. Exclusive Visit (up to 12 participants) fixed cost € 150 plus entrance fee. The tour is not accessible to people with disabilities.

Image: the Rocca Albornoziana in Spoleto. Photo: Umbria Tourism

Spoleto, for the first time the Albornoz Fortress opens its towers to the public

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