The History of Gradara
...goes back to the year 1128. Two brothers of the Grifo family built an imposing defensive tower. The Torre del Mastio, the first structure of what later became an impregnable fortress. From 1283, with the help of the Papacy and the noble Malatesta family, construction of the fortress began. The Malatestas or 'Lords of Rimini' were a powerful family who even had the Papacy on their hands. They built the double castle walls and had the Mastio Tower integrated into the fortress.
The structure of the Rocca, a quadrangle with corner towers is an important example of 14the century military architecture.
The Malatesta family remained in the Rocca until 1463. From then on, the fortress and castle came into the hands of Family Sforza of Pesaro. Giovanni Sforza further converted The Rocca di Gradara into a princely residence.
In the year 1513, there was another succession of the 'great of the Middle Ages'. Family Della Rovere took up their residence. They refined the castle's atmosphere, brought in more Renaissance-style art.
The Della Rovere dynasty died out, leaving Gradara in the hands of the Papal state. The Marquis Mosca rented the castle, but let the splendour decay.
It was not until 1921 that the fort received a complete restoration. The exterior was brought back as it was. The interior of the rooms on the ground floor received a refurbishment. The furniture that could be saved was thoroughly restored to restore its original splendour. The heavy galleys on the windows and draperies were also restored. Thanks to this extensive repair and restoration work, the castle and fortress are coming back to life. And with it, so does the village of Gradara.
Today, the Gradara fortress is state-owned.
What is there to see?
The tall clock tower; Torre Portaia. Is the entrance door.
The coats of arms refer to the noble families that built Borgo di Gradara.
The coats of arms of the Della Rovere and sforza families testify to their lordship over the castle.
Before you walk under the gate, you pass an office where you can check out guided tours that are scheduled there daily. You can also buy an entrance ticket there to see the castle for yourself.
Via Umberto I is the main street. Where there is a lot to see and where you will come across nice souvenir shops.
Continue walking through the many alleys and steep streets made of cobblestones.
Crossing the drawbridge brings you into the heart of the fortress. In the courtyard you will find a well, and the main entrance to two floors with the castle's rooms.
A sample of the interior;
Sale di Torture. (Hallway/entrance to the rock prison, and the water tank)
The Cardinal's Room
The dressing room of Lucrezia Borgia
The Malatestiana room
The hall of the Sforzesco lion.
The red room (sala Rossa)
Besides the castle, the church of San Giovanni Battista is also worth a stop, especially because of the wooden crucifix. It is special to see the Christ statue on the cross from 3 different angles. His facial expression is always different
If you are visiting Gradara then we don't want to deprive you of the legend about the love couple Paolo and Francesca. A love-story famous throughout Italy.
Dante Alighieri (1265) was a great poet at the time, born in Florence.
He writes the love story which would have taken place in Gradara castle.
Paolo and Francesca's love story
Francesca da Rimini was a young woman from a noble family. She was married off to Giovanni Malatesta, also known as "Gianciotto". Gianciotto was much older, fair but very ugly. He was hunchbacked and far from mother's most beautiful. Paolo, Gianciotto's younger brother, was known for his beauty and charm.
During Francesca and Gianciotto's wedding, Francesca and Paolo fell madly in love. They admitted their feelings to each other and kissed.
Unfortunately, Gianciotto discovered his wife and brother's affair. When he caught his wife kissing his brother, he killed them both in a fit of rage. However, this brutal act made them one of the most famous symbols of forbidden love.
The legend took place in the castle of Gradara between 1283 and 1285, then owned by the Malatesta family. In the 18the century even found a skeleton of a young woman laden with jewellery and luxury clothing. Had Francesca been found?
Who is Dante Alighieri?
Born in 1265 in Florence, Dante is considered the father of the Italian language.
He wrote his masterpiece, La Divina Commedia, in Florentine, the vernacular language of his time. In doing so, he unwittingly laid the foundations for the Florentine dialect to grow into the standard language of the country that would not be known as Italy until long after his death.
It is obvious to think that standard Italian arose from all dialects together, but it is the other way around. Standard Italian is based on the dialect used in the 14the -century Florence was spoken of.
Dante Alighieri also mentioned the Fortress of Gradara in his la Divina Commerdia... The current residents of Gradara are only too proud of that!
It hosts many events and festivities based on "Dante's famous love story.
So it is quite possible that, when visiting Gradara, you will find yourself in the middle of a festivity. Anyway, every Thursday afternoon/evening from May to September, the village is all about the Middle Ages. People walk in costumes. Street performers, fire-eaters and musicians make you feel as if you were in the year 1450. Craftsmen and knightly games. Who knows, maybe you will meet Dante, Francesca or Paolo? People pull out all the stops!
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