Umbertide's 14th-century fortress: a tale of Braccio Fortebraccio, nobles, and

Build in the 14th century by Angeluccio di Ceccolo for local lords, the fort's de facto purpose of protection for nobles included thick 2-meter walls and a 32-meter tower. However, from the 18th century to 1923, Umbertide's castle was used as a prison. Braccio Fortebraccio of Montone, the famous condottiero, was one such noble, held prisoner in the castle in 1394. He was released after a ransom was paid, then took the castle for himself. For the next half-century, it was his residence until his death in 1424.

But the castle was not just a residence, it was also a jail, holding prisoners in the 18th and 19th centuries. The castle passed through many hands before it became property of the comune in 1974. In the late 1980s, the castle was restored to its historical identity as a castle, and a new entrance was created. Since 1986, the castle has been used for contemporary art exhibits and now also displays a collection of donated works by Giovanni Ciangottini.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons