Image: Travel group at the Rocca Borgia fortress in Vejano, with thanks to Prince Landolfo of Naples Rampolla, owner of the fortress.

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.

The 10‑day fortress tour, led by Dr. Hans‑Rudolf Neumann, included fortress monuments in Rome and the Lazio province, among them sections of the Campo Trincerato fortress ring in Rome, Castel Sant’Angelo, Vatican City, Vejano, Ostia, Nettuno, Civita Castellana, and Monte Soratte.

The widely acclaimed pilot trip offered international participants a profound insight into the region’s fortress-building history, accompanied by renowned experts from the Joint Scientific and Expert Committee of FORTE CULTURA and EFFORTS, e.g., Fiorenzo Meneghelli and Teresa Colletta.