- Free 1st Sunday
Photo: Livioandronico2013, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
- Type
- Castle
- Protection
- Italian national heritage
- Coordinates
- 41°55′34″ N, 13°05′42″ E
- Address
- Salita don Gigi
History and description
The Rocca Abbaziale (also called the Rocca dei Borgia) is an abbey, designed as a castle, in Subiaco, Lazio, Italy.
History
The abbey, built in the late 11th century, was designed as a castle to establish control over the surrounding town. It was constructed with fortifications, prison cells, a watchtower, apartments and a chapel dedicated to St. Thomas. The castle was damaged by an earthquake in 1349 and was abandoned. It was looted and further damaged by townsfolk and was left uninhabited for many years thereafter.
In 1476, the castle was restored by cardinal Rodrigo Borgia who expanded the fortifications to defend the oldest part of the building. According to some historians, Cesare Borgia and Lucrezia Borgia were both born in the castle to Rodrigo's mistress Vannozza dei Cattanei. The castle was eventually purchased by the Colonna family.
In 1778, by order of Pope Pius VI, the architect Pietro Camporese further restored the castle, removing medieval elements like the prison cells and fortifications, and installing more modern features like a large clock. Subsequent popes used the castle as accommodation away from Rome.
Text from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Full article: «Rocca abbaziale».
Photos
Getting there
RovianoTrain, nearest
14.1 km as the crow flies
Rocca abbazialeSalita don Gigi
Distances are as the crow flies, not walking or driving.
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Nearby
See on the mapMore castles in Lazio
Frequently asked questions
Where is Rocca abbaziale?
Rocca abbaziale is in Subiaco, in the province of Roma (Lazio), Italy. Address: Salita don Gigi. GPS coordinates: 41.92601, 13.09492.
What else is there to see near Rocca abbaziale?
Nearby you’ll find: Museo delle Attività Cartarie e della Stampa (0 m away), Church of St. Andrew the Apostle (300 m away), Monastery of Saint Scholastica (800 m away).
Sources and licences
Text. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Data. Wikidata (CC0); opening hours and contacts OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
Photos. Wikimedia Commons, author and licence on every image.
Credits for the 6 photos
- Rocca Abbaziale (Subiaco) — Livioandronico2013, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Fresco of Papal room in Rocca Abbaziale (Subiaco) — Livioandronico2013, CC BY-SA 4.0
- La Rocca Abbaziale de Subiaco — LPLT, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Plüschow, Wilhelm von (1852-1930) - n. 02434 recto - Rocca Abbaziale (Subiaco) - Paul Hoecker Nachlass — Guglielmo Plüschow, Public domain
- Entrance of "Rocca dei Borgia" in Subiaco — Livioandronico2013, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Jenne Liborio Coccetti — Liborio Coccetti, CC BY-SA 4.0
Updated 28 October 2026. All sources and licences