The Fortress Orsini of Scurcola Marsicana: Medieval preexistence and Renaissance
building site
The fortification was part of a castles system connected in sight for the control of a territory, in Abruzzo,
crossed by the Roman road Valeria, that in the Norman period became part of the Kingdom of Sicily.
This
land, on the nord-west frontier, caused the interest of Frederick II Kingdom’s administration.
The direct
survey and historical critical study of monument, have allowed to identify the imprint of a Medieval castle
englobed in the Renaissance fortress. After the dig inside, the reading of the drawings updated with the
traces re-emerged of wall structures, has highlighted that the plan of the medieval nucleus is based on a
rigorous geometric scheme, which give rise to a singular architectural solution. The value of the medieval
preexistence is linked to some aspects of the late-fifteenth-century building, which is expression of a
mature design skill, in relating to the ancient castle, and refers to the studies and solutions adopted by the
Sienese master Francesco di Giorgio.
