Bild: Reisegruppe in der Festung Rocca Borgia in Vejano, mit Dank an Prinz Landolfo von Neapel Rampolla, Eigentümer der Festung.

Rome is not only worth a trip, but also always a rewarding field of research for those interested in fortresses. The capital of Italy has been heavily fortified since Roman times, but this has not pre- vented enemy troops from attacking and capturing the city from time to time throughout history. Many structural fortifications have come down to the present day, some in different states. These range from the Roman city ramparts, such as the Aurelian Wall as one of the most impressive legacies of the Roman Empire, to the modem bastion fortifications by the Italian architect family Sangallo, to the major fortifications of Campo Trincerato from the 19th century, which can still be seen today in present the form of a fort belt around the city. Outside of Rome, a number of fortified aristocratíc residences, city complexes and harbor fortifications were built during the Renaissance, the purpose of which was more or less to prevent, but also to protect, access to the capital.

The tour documentation reports on the experiences of a group trip and explores existing tourism potential. Weaknesses in dealing with this historical heritage are revealed. The study tour was intended to make lesser-known fortifications known to a wider audience in order to better promote them through networked marketing.

Die 10-tägige Festungsreise unter der Leitung von Dr. Hans-Rudolf Neumann umfasste Festungsmonumente in Rom und der Provinz Latium, darunter Teile des Festungsrings Campo Trincerato in Rom, Castel Sant'Angelo, Vatikanstadt, Vejano, Ostia, Nettuno, Civita Castellana und Monte Soratte.

Die vielbeachtete Pilotreise bot den internationalen Teilnehmern einen tiefen Einblick in die Festungsbaugeschichte der Region, begleitet von renommierten Experten des gemeinsamen Wissenschafts- und Expertenausschusses von FORTE CULTURA und EFFORTS, z.B. Fiorenzo Meneghelli und Teresa Colletta.