Fort Malatesta in Ascoli Piceno, one of the most important and spectacular examples of Renaissance fortified architecture in
Italy and one of more fascinating historical sites in this refined Marchigiana city, was re-opened in 2010 after 10 years
of reconstruction.
The fort, just outside the historic centre, rises to defend the left bank of the Castellano
river: in pre-Roman and Roman times it was a stronghold which blocked access to the bridge.
Destroyed and re-built many times, in 1349 Galeotto Malatesta, Commander of the Ascoli militia in
the war against Fermo, reinforced it and it became a typical medieval fort that took the name Fort Malatesta. It continued to be destroyed & rebuilt until, in the first half of the
1500s, a twelve-sided church, dedicated to Santa Maria del Lago, was built in the fortress' ruins.
Howver, in 1543 Antonio da San Gallo the Young, under instruction from Pope Farnese III, erected on the site a new fort in the shape of an irregular star.
In 1828 the fort was restored and used as remand prison until 1978.
Address: Via delle Terme, Ascoli Piceno
Opening hours:
Saturday & Sunday: 10.00 to 19.00
Monday: Closed
Tuesday & Thursday: 10.00 to 13.00
Wednesday & Friday: 15.00 to 18.00
Public holidays and the preceeding day:10.00 to19.00
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