A rare tortoise-shaped Renaissance fortress that secretly sheltered thousands of artworks during World War II
The Rocca Ubaldinesca at Sassocorvaro, in the hills of the Pesaro-Urbino province of the Marche, is one of the most original works of Renaissance military architecture in Italy. It was designed around 1475 by the great Sienese architect and engineer Francesco di Giorgio Martini for Ottaviano Ubaldini, regent of Urbino, and is famous for its distinctive rounded, bulging form, often likened to a tortoise or a turtle, which was conceived to deflect cannon fire by presenting curved, sloping surfaces to attacking artillery. Beyond its architectural interest, the fortress holds a remarkable modern story: during the Second World War it served as the secret refuge for more than ten thousand masterpieces of Italian art, evacuated from museums and galleries in Venice, the Marche, and beyond to protect them from bombing and looting. Among the works hidden within its walls were Giorgione's 'The Tempest', paintings by Raphael, Titian, Lorenzo Lotto, and Piero della Francesca, an episode of cultural rescue masterminded by the art historian Pasquale Rotondi. The fortress today houses the Museo della Rocca, with displays on its architecture, the wartime 'Ark of Art', and local history, as well as a small historic theatre. The Rocca opens chiefly at weekends and on holidays, with weekday visits available by reservation, so it is best to check ahead; adult admission is around €5, with reductions for children. The hilltop setting commands views over the Foglia valley and the surrounding countryside, and the town below makes a quiet base for exploring the Montefeltro hinterland between Urbino and the coast. The combination of innovative fortress design and an extraordinary wartime tale makes Sassocorvaro one of the more surprising stops in the region.
Weather through the year in Marche
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Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Marche.
Highlights
- A distinctive tortoise-shaped fortress by Francesco di Giorgio Martini, c.1475
- Curved walls designed to deflect cannon fire, a landmark of Renaissance military design
- The wartime 'Ark of Art' that hid over 10,000 masterpieces, including Giorgione's 'Tempest'
- The Museo della Rocca on the fortress, the art rescue, and local history
- Hilltop views over the Foglia valley in the Montefeltro hinterland
Tips for visiting
- The fortress opens mainly at weekends and holidays; book ahead for weekday visits
- Adult admission is around €5, with reductions for children
- Read up on the wartime 'Ark of Art' story before visiting for fuller appreciation
- Combine with Urbino and the Montefeltro hill towns inland from the coast
- Enjoy the views over the Foglia valley from the hilltop
When to visit
Spring and autumn for comfortable weather and clear valley views. Weekends offer the most reliable opening; confirm weekday access in advance.
Accessibility
The fortress is a historic building with stairs and uneven flooring across several levels and is not fully accessible to wheelchair users. The hilltop town has some sloping streets.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the fortress shaped like a tortoise?
Its architect, Francesco di Giorgio Martini, gave it rounded, bulging, sloping walls around 1475 specifically to deflect and absorb cannon fire, an early response to gunpowder artillery that gives the fortress its unmistakable shell-like form.
What is the 'Ark of Art'?
During the Second World War the fortress secretly sheltered more than ten thousand masterpieces evacuated from Italian museums, including Giorgione's 'The Tempest', to protect them from bombing and looting.
When can the fortress be visited?
It opens chiefly at weekends and on holidays, with weekday visits by reservation. Check current arrangements before travelling, as hours are seasonal.