Dozza

Dozza and its Fortress

When, in 1499, Cesare Borgia, son of Pope Alessandro VI and brother of Lucrezia, wanted to conquer Romagna to build his own personal principality, he had to fight against Caterina Sforza, Lady of Imola and Forli. Caterina was a strong woman but her energy could do nothing against the terrible reputation of Cesare Borgia: the city of Imola surrendered to Borgia without a fight. The Fortress fell shortly after.

When Imola fell, all the other surrounding castles also surrendered to Borgia. All except the Fortress of Dozza, in which Gabriele del Pica, lord of the manor, offered brave resistance. In the end, he too had to surrender, and Caterina was taken prisoner after the fall of Forli and held hostage in Rome. She remained at the Castel S. Angelo prison for a year and a half before she was freed and could then pass the last years of her life in Florence, always with the hope of returning as Lady of her Romagna.

The Fortress of Dozza, built in 1250, is still perfectly preserved along with the entire village inside the circular wall, dating back to 1087. The intact heart of the village offers a unique image of a typical medieval town, but with one particularity: in Dozza, every two years the "Biennale del Muro Dipinto" takes place. Artists from all over the world meet here to paint their operas on the walls of the houses, which offers a very bizarre appearance.

The Regional Enoteca of Emilia-Romagna is located in the cellar of the Fortress, where one can taste and buy the typical wines of the region: a suggestive setting for the well-known specialties of this area.


Dozza and its Fortress
	When, in 1499, Cesare Borgia, son of Pope Alessandro VI and brother of Lucrezia, wanted to conquer Romagna to build his own personal principality, he had to fight against Caterina Sforza, Lady of Imola and Forli. Caterina was a strong woman but her energy could do nothing against the terrible reputation of Cesare Borgia: the city of Imola surrendered to Borgia without a fight. The Fortress fell shortly after.
When Imola fell, all the other surrounding castles also surrendered to Borgia. All except the Fortress of Dozza, in which Gabriele del Pica, lord of the manor, offered brave resistance. In the end, he too had to surrender, and Caterina was taken prisoner after the fall of Forli and held hostage in Rome. She remained at the Castel S. Angelo prison for a year and a half before she was freed and could then pass the last years of her life in Florence, always with the hope of returning as Lady of her Romagna.
The Fortress of Dozza, built in 1250, is still perfectly preserved along with the entire village inside the circular wall, dating back to 1087. The intact heart of the village offers a unique image of a typical medieval town, but with one particularity: in Dozza, every two years the "Biennale del Muro Dipinto" takes place. Artists from all over the world meet here to paint their operas on the walls of the houses, which offers a very bizarre appearance. The Regional Enoteca of Emilia-Romagna is located in the cellar of the Fortress, where one can taste and buy the typical wines of the region: a suggestive setting for the well-known specialties of this area.

Last update 04/05/2003	Search inside "Italian In Italy"
Email to "webmaster"