Rocca Maggiore
Rocca Maggiore
4.5
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Dating back to the 12th century, this grand castle fortress dominates the region since it is perched atop a walled hilltop overlooking the city of Assisi and surrounding countryside.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
1,086 reviews
Excellent
536
Very good
394
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115
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Terrible
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LRS D
32 contributions
Jul 2021
This is worth the hike and the ticket to see how they lived and to get to the very top. You can see both sides of the mountain and a special art installation of olive trees in a grove called "Third Paradise" from above. You can feel how guards may have been stationed and see both the slots for shooting arrows or pouring out hot liquids on attackers. Inside a very narrow spiral staircase leads to museum displays of ancient life in picture and floating floors still allow a sense of the majesty of the space.
Written September 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CultureVultureCamb
Cambridge721 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Remarkably well preserved castle. Our entrance ticket was included in the bus tour we took - saved us walking up the hill on a very hot day. Interesting to walk around, good information boards (even if they are written in overly complicated language as seems the trend for cultural places).
Most of all for the fabulous views over Assisi and the surrounding countryside.
There's a bar in the garden area so you can sit in the shade and enjoy a glass to reflect on the whole experience.
Most of all for the fabulous views over Assisi and the surrounding countryside.
There's a bar in the garden area so you can sit in the shade and enjoy a glass to reflect on the whole experience.
Written August 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fortino
Laguna Beach, CA159 contributions
Nov 2010 • Friends
If you are traveling to Umbria, you must see Assisi, and if you are in Assisi, you must see the Basilico di San Francesco as well as Rocca Maggiore. Rocca Maggiore is a beautiful medieval castle at the top of Assisi from which you can overlook the valley of Umbria below. All of Assisi is enchanting. I love walking the streets that are oftened stepped because Assisi resides on a hill.
When you first arrive to Assisi, you are in Santa Maria Degli Angeli station and in order to get to the town of Assisi which is on top of the hill, you must take Bus C to get there. I think the bus travels up to the town about every 30 minutes and is located right in front of the station. It is really easy to find. Ride the bus all the way to the top of the hill and get off at the last stop and start your trip to Rocca Maggiore from there. You can walk following the signs from there. The walk is uphill, but the streets are easy to walk on and the signs and the view of Rocca Maggiore make it easy to find. Along the way you will find what I call "the gum fence" I'm not sure if there is an official name for it, but the old wire fence is now covered in travelers gum. I thought it was really great & fascinating that someone stuck their gum on and then someone else & so on until the fence is crammed with gum for many feet. My cousin thought it was gross. I was not chewing gum, therefore, could not add to the fence.
When you arrive at Rocca Maggiore, you are at the top of the hill of this hill town. You can see all around the city and the valley fields below. I felt it was beautiful and serene. It was quite peaceful to just sit and look. It took my breath away the first time I saw it so I went back for a second time on this past trip to Italy.
For history buff's, Rocca Maggiore was built in 1367 by a Cardinal and is covered in history with it's many tenants throughout the ages. Much of the Castle is in tact and you can even walk inside the walls where the soldiers would walk to get up onto the wall to protect the castle. You can see where the slept & hid waiting for raids by their enemies.
Rocca Maggiore was one of my favorite spots to see in Assisi, but the town of Assisi itself has been one of my favorite all time destinations. I absolutely love it. It is steeped in history as it is the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi and the Franciscan monks. Their are of course many Basiliche & churches because of this and any given time during the year you will see many nuns &/or priests on pilgramage to the Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi.
The Basilica is not, however, his original church, he built a small church at the foot of the hill in Santa Maria Degli Angeli and the larger Basilica di Santa Maria Degli Angeli was actually built around it. So St. Francis's little church sits inside the middle of this huge Basilica. It is beautiful and quite small. It has the capacity to fit 20 people or less in it. It is definitely worth seeing before you board bus C to the top, or after you return before taking your train out.
I definitely think Assisi is a destination to stay in. It is peaceful and it is stunningly beautiful. The buildings are all the same color. They're made from the same stone and nobody paints their homes. It is a beautiful gray white color that is just calming and beautiful to see.
I stayed a few days in a hotel the 2nd time I visited and loved eating there and meeting locals and talking with them. I now have a friend in Foligno because I stayed there and talked with people.
When you first arrive to Assisi, you are in Santa Maria Degli Angeli station and in order to get to the town of Assisi which is on top of the hill, you must take Bus C to get there. I think the bus travels up to the town about every 30 minutes and is located right in front of the station. It is really easy to find. Ride the bus all the way to the top of the hill and get off at the last stop and start your trip to Rocca Maggiore from there. You can walk following the signs from there. The walk is uphill, but the streets are easy to walk on and the signs and the view of Rocca Maggiore make it easy to find. Along the way you will find what I call "the gum fence" I'm not sure if there is an official name for it, but the old wire fence is now covered in travelers gum. I thought it was really great & fascinating that someone stuck their gum on and then someone else & so on until the fence is crammed with gum for many feet. My cousin thought it was gross. I was not chewing gum, therefore, could not add to the fence.
When you arrive at Rocca Maggiore, you are at the top of the hill of this hill town. You can see all around the city and the valley fields below. I felt it was beautiful and serene. It was quite peaceful to just sit and look. It took my breath away the first time I saw it so I went back for a second time on this past trip to Italy.
For history buff's, Rocca Maggiore was built in 1367 by a Cardinal and is covered in history with it's many tenants throughout the ages. Much of the Castle is in tact and you can even walk inside the walls where the soldiers would walk to get up onto the wall to protect the castle. You can see where the slept & hid waiting for raids by their enemies.
Rocca Maggiore was one of my favorite spots to see in Assisi, but the town of Assisi itself has been one of my favorite all time destinations. I absolutely love it. It is steeped in history as it is the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi and the Franciscan monks. Their are of course many Basiliche & churches because of this and any given time during the year you will see many nuns &/or priests on pilgramage to the Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi.
The Basilica is not, however, his original church, he built a small church at the foot of the hill in Santa Maria Degli Angeli and the larger Basilica di Santa Maria Degli Angeli was actually built around it. So St. Francis's little church sits inside the middle of this huge Basilica. It is beautiful and quite small. It has the capacity to fit 20 people or less in it. It is definitely worth seeing before you board bus C to the top, or after you return before taking your train out.
I definitely think Assisi is a destination to stay in. It is peaceful and it is stunningly beautiful. The buildings are all the same color. They're made from the same stone and nobody paints their homes. It is a beautiful gray white color that is just calming and beautiful to see.
I stayed a few days in a hotel the 2nd time I visited and loved eating there and meeting locals and talking with them. I now have a friend in Foligno because I stayed there and talked with people.
Written October 8, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thrust v
Prague, Hlavni Mesto Praha, Czech Republic85 contributions
Apr 2017
So you finally made it to the top of the hill above the Assisi. You made it to the fortress that haunted you for a long time, that tower that can be visible from the whole city that hypnotized you inviting you to see the view from the top. You made it, now it stands before you in all its glory. It is beautiful, you can't complain. You go inside and pay the 8€ ticket excited that you will see the fortress from the inside and experience the view that the city guard could enjoy while standing watch for the enemy army. You finally get inside, scale the tight helix stairs to find out... That you can't go to the top. And because you are certainly not interested in views, but in some film props and photos from filming of some historical film, we have put an iron grid with thick bars and tiny square eyes on the windows.
Factually, there is only one tiny room at the top of the rocca. Inside, there are some photos from some film, some film props. The stairs to its roof are off limits, the walls are off limits and the western tower with the best view of Assisi is off limits as well. All in all, it is a huge ripoff and a tourist trap. Don't pay to enter, take a look at it from the outside. There are literally better views of the city from the place outside of the rocca.
Factually, there is only one tiny room at the top of the rocca. Inside, there are some photos from some film, some film props. The stairs to its roof are off limits, the walls are off limits and the western tower with the best view of Assisi is off limits as well. All in all, it is a huge ripoff and a tourist trap. Don't pay to enter, take a look at it from the outside. There are literally better views of the city from the place outside of the rocca.
Written May 14, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lauren_wgnr
Hillsboro, OR28 contributions
Mar 2010
We were only in Assisi for an hour until we had to leave and after we went to the upper church we had 30 minutes for lunch and shopping before we had to meet for the buses at the lower church. A few of us really wanted to go see the castle but were told it would take 20 minutes alone just to hike up to it but we went for it anyways, running the whole way except to stop quickly to take gorgeous pictures of the landscapes. You can see everything and its all green and beautiful! We make it to the castle, entrance was cheap, and have to hurry through everything to make sure we see it all. Theres a cool dark tunnel you take to get to one of the viewing posts and then a spiral staircase to get to a different one. Its a little frightening because you realize you can easily slip and fall and die but the view is one you'll never forget. We had to sprint downhill to make it on time but it was definitely worth it. If I ever go to Italy again this is a must stop place..the town is quiet and beautiful, there are nearby wineries and ceramic shops, you'll love it. The only thing is I wish we couldve known this history on the castle..maybe an information post or pamphlet?
Written January 21, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Islndguy
Richmond, CA66 contributions
Sep 2014 • Couples
Great place to visit while in Assisi. Well worth the entry fee. Explore the castle on your own and take as much time as you like. I don't think it's on the normal tourist radar as we were the only people in the entire castle when we visited in Sept of 2014. The castle has a long wall extending out from it's interior be sure you go in and up the stairs at the end of the wall. You will be amazed at the views of the entire town and surrounding canyons. If you're in Assisi it's well worth the trek up the hill to visit this historic place.
Written October 1, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BVR
Pittsburgh37 contributions
Jun 2011 • Couples
Some of the older reviews may be out of date in that there is now a 5 Euro per person admissions fee, but my husband and I thought it was well worth it. Unlike many sites in Assisi, there were not huge crowds and we did not feel rushed but could take our time in exploring this fortress and its grounds. I'm calling it a fortress because I think it corresponds more to that than the grandness most people think of as a castle, but the natives do call it "the castle." The fortress/castle itself is not huge, and can easily be toured in an hour or less, but it has been carefully restored in some parts and left to crumble in others. We did not buy a guide book and liked not knowing what we would find when we turned a corner. At the entrance they warn off those with vertigo and fear of heights , which is mostly because of several spiral staircases that are very steep and narrow, but that offer the best (highest) views over Assisi and the surrounding area, Even if you can't make it up (or down!) the spiral staircases, the views are still amazing even from elsewhere in the fortress. Half the fun is getting to the Rocca Maggiore on foot. As long as you keep walking uphill you will find it eventually, but there are at least four or five different ways of getting up there from paved side streets to leafy dirt trails. There is a small cafe on the grounds (before ticket booth) that has water, soda, beer and some food.
Written July 1, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hopes702
Grand Rapids, MI257 contributions
Nov 2017 • Couples
We walked up to Rocca Maggiore just to see the views, but decided to go in. We were glad we did! It's a well preserved slice of history and well worth seeing. Once you are at the top, the views are spectacular in every direction. We were lucky to have a beautiful fall day and really enjoyed the whole experience.
Written January 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TandemSpirits
Foligno, Italy544 contributions
Jan 2018
If you visit Assisi, make sure you take the walk up to Rocca Maggiore. It is a brief 10-15 minute walk up from the historic center (not terribly steep). There you will find a fairly well-preserved castle with spectacular views of the whole valley with Perugia in the north. It's fun to go up the very narrow spiral staircase to the top of the main tower where you can see some beautiful landscapes. At this time a ticket is €6. It's worth it.
Written January 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bill F
Conway, Arkansas, United States63 contributions
My best friend and I along with my daughter & new son-in-law decided to catch the view from the "top" of the medieval tower in Assisi, Rocca Maggiore. We walked from the cathedral to the base of the fortress, (that was 20 minutes uphill). Then the stairs began. Keep in mind, my best friend, a physician and in excellent health, said "come on, let's go". After catching my breath, we began "the climb". First level was "OK". Second level, "winded", Third level, "hurting a bit". Fourth level, "you've got to be kidding". Fifth level, "just leave my remains here". Finally we reached the summit, and yes the view was wonderful for those that could still see. Then, Ben wanted to walk back down to the tunnel wall connecting the towers. I followed only because I couldn't see more than three feet in front of me. We walked through the low ceiling tunnel made for midgets and finally arrived at the second tower...and guess what, a spiral staircase, almost wide enough for my head & shoulders. Ben was laughing all the way. I was trying to breath. We finally reached the top and met my daughter & son-in-law. They said, "Dad, are you alright?" But of course I couldn't respond. My heart was beating so hard, I couldn't hear them,
The walk down was much better. Ben (the doctor) watched me very close and insisted I see a doctor when I arrived back home, which I did. Finally recovering a bit, the evening was capped off with a great dinner and a glass of wine. I survived! For you travelers curious as to the cost, I don't remember. I'm just glad I did it, I think....
The walk down was much better. Ben (the doctor) watched me very close and insisted I see a doctor when I arrived back home, which I did. Finally recovering a bit, the evening was capped off with a great dinner and a glass of wine. I survived! For you travelers curious as to the cost, I don't remember. I'm just glad I did it, I think....
Written March 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Forza roma
Bomba, Italy78 contributions
come si raggiunge dal parcheggio Matteotti?
IronPeps_Ely
Settimo Torinese, Italy258 contributions
Imbocca semplicemente Via della Rocca dal parcheggio... sempre dritto. Impossibile non vederla. Ciao buona visita
Fre, Nicola e Dustin
Brescia, Italy453 contributions
Possiamo accedere alla Rocca Maggiore e visitarla con il nostro cane (cucciolo di taglia medio-piccola)?
PaoloPG
Perugia269 contributions
si
rcrichmond
Canton, MA158 contributions
Does anyone know if there is a place to drop off my in-laws near the castle entrance to reduce the amount of up hill walking they would have to do? I understand there is a parking lot a few hundred meters away, but would like to get them closer.
Catherine
Glasgow, UK128 contributions
Yes! Cars can be taken all the way up.
Conte Luciano Piuzzi
Cesenatico, Italy171 contributions
Un numero di telefono giusto esiste per contattare la Rocca? E quali sono gli orario e i giorni di visita?
Roberto
Bollate, Italy49 contributions
Questo purtroppo non te lo so dire. Comunque se senti il comune, avrà informazioni da darti
Eleutheria_28
Province of Varese, Italy202 contributions
Ma la Rocca Minore come si raggiunge?
Chiara M
Santa Maria degli Angeli, Italy225 contributions
Da piazza Matteotti ( parcheggio) devi girare per la salita a destra, dopo l'arco te la trovi subito a sinistra
SergeyShishov
Moscow, Russia
Добрый день, Ирина.
Мы тоже собираемся посетить Италию в конце сентября и посетить Rocca Magiore.
Скажите пожалуйста:
сколько времени нужно запланировать для посещения этого места?
Сколько стоит вход в музей?
Музей работает с 9 до 17.00 (например в четверг)?
SilvestroAssisi
Bevagna, Italy8 contributions
Scusami....ho fatto un errore, nel mese di Settembre è aperta dalle 10 alle 18,15!!!!
What days and hours is the castle open?
SilvestroAssisi
Bevagna, Italy8 contributions
Questi sono gli orari di apertura della Rocca Maggiore di Assisi:
Da novembre a febbraio dalle 10 alle 15.45;
marzo dalle 10 alle 16,45;
aprile, maggio, settembre e ottobre dalle 10 alle 18,15;
giugno, luglio e agosto dalle 10 alle 19,15.
E' aperta tutto l'anno e tutti i giorni, tranne il 25 dicembre ed il 1 gennaio.
Inoltre, in caso di forte maltempo, potrebbe chiudere prima degli orari indicati.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Rocca Maggiore
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