The Cittadella Fortress was built starting in 1532 by the renowned architect Antonio da Sangallo the Younger. The same architect also designed the contemporary Rocca Paolina in Perugia and the Fortezza da Basso in Florence. These three fortifications were central to the assertion of Pope Clement VII’s policy in central Italy, as he sought to respond to the Sack of Rome, which had weakened his prestige and economic power. These works are of great importance in the history of military architecture, as they represent some of the earliest examples of the Italian bastioned front, designed to withstand firearms. Indeed, Antonio da Sangallo the Younger’s designs served as models for fortifications throughout Italy and Europe.
The Cittadella was therefore built at the expense of the Papal States and was accepted by the free commune of Ancona, which hoped that its presence would help defend against attacks by Turkish corsair ships. Instead, the new fortification proved to be something of a Trojan horse, leading to the end of the Maritime Republic of Ancona and its fall under the control of Clement VII.
The fortress features five bastions—Guardia, Punta, Campana, Gregoriano, and Giardino—and reaches its greatest height at the Torraccia, the central keep. Beneath it extends a network of underground passages.
Client:
Regione Marche
Region:
MARCHE
Location:
Ancona (AN)
