Architettura e magisteri costruttivi nei cantieri di difesa umbri. La Rocca Minore di Assisi

In the complex network of fortifications of Cardinal Albornoz, erected between 1353 and 1367 in the territories of Umbria, the Rocca Minore of Assisi is part of the intricate palimpsest of fortifications that, together with the Rocca Maggiore, the city walls and gates, surrounds the medieval town of Assisi. Strategically positioned on Cappuccini Hill, this small fortress includes a single tower, a donjon, and a double perimeter wall enclosing a courtyard. Built in white and pink stone from Subasio Mountain, the ‘Rocchicciola’ offers a valuable view into Assisi's urban and military development. Starting from these premises, the paper aims at bridging some of the existing knowledge gaps about the Rocca Minore by examining its structural and architectural features through iconographic and cartographic sources. Additionally, it traces the fortress's evolution from the 14th to the 16th centuries by critically analyzing archival documents and published literature. Finally, the study delves into the physical aspects of the fortified architecture, exploring its materials, construction techniques, also with the use of original surveys.