Panorama Photo

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Location:	San Leo (S.P. 89)	by:	Giuseppe Marzulli
Area:	Italy	Date:	29 August 2026

The Forte of San Leo, or Rocca di San Leo, is today primarily advertised as Cagliostro's prison. But I consider this a mistake, because the castle has a very important history behind it. And I have no sympathy for Cagliostro :-)
During the Middle Ages, the fortress was bitterly contested by the Byzantines, Goths, Franks, and Lombards. Berengar II, the last king of the Lombard kingdom of Italy, was besieged here by Otto I of Saxony between 961 and 963. During this brief period, in a certain sense, the fortress assumed the role of the capital of Italy.
Even Dante mentions it in the Divine Comedy. In Dante's time, the fortress must have seemed impregnable due to its position.
Its current appearance is the work of the Sienese architect and engineer Francesco di Giorgio Martini, who renovated it at the end of the 15th century.
Over the centuries, the fortress's military importance declined, and starting in 1631, it was converted into a prison.
Today, it's an interesting place to visit and offers a very scenic view.

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Comments

For me, it is known as prison of Cagliostro

2026/09/02 20:13 , Herwig Holemar

Vassi

a ___________ e discendesi in Noli, montasi su in Bismantova e 'n cacume con esso i piè; ma qui convien c'om voli. (Dante, Purgatorio canto IV, vv. 24-26)

2026/09/03 10:48 , Alvise Bonaldo

@Herwig: Bravo. This is an unusual view of the fort, and I think if you guessed it right, it's because you've been there.

2026/09/04 12:50 , Giuseppe Marzulli

@Alvise: oggi il forte viene pubblicizzato dagli uffici turistici come prigione di Cagliostro. Ma, secondo me, è un errore. Il forte ha alle spalle una storia molto importante, tanto che, come hai fatto notare, è stato persino citato da Dante nella Divina Commedia.

2026/09/04 12:53 , Giuseppe Marzulli