Rocca di Calascio, Province of L'Aquila, Abruzzo, Italy

The Rocca (= fortress) rises at 1460 m. a.s.l. on a mountain top is the highest castle in the Apennines; it is different from the other castles of the Aquilan territory, which were intended as a refuge for the villagers and therefore very large. On the contrary, the Rocca was intended only to accomodate the troops.

Just below it, rises the charming, peculiar octagonal church of St. Maria della Pietà (XVII century), on a solitary plateau, while the village that rose around the fortress is today nearly abandoned by the local people, but a favourite stop for history-loving tourists.

For its fascinating position, the Rocca was often used as the scenery for epic movies, such as Lady Hawke or The name of the Rose, and for TV spots.