The Rocca di Bolignano, built in the 14th century, originated as a strategic fortification to protect Ancona from the incursions of nearby Osimo. This ancient complex includes the Rocca, the 18th-century church of Sant’Antonio Abate and an adjoining building, probably intended as a peasant dwelling, added later.
The Battle of the Pig
Its history is intertwined with local legends, including the hostilities between Ancona and Osimo, said to date back to a 16th-century battle known as ‘The Battle of the Pig’. At that time, pigs were a valuable resource, often the cause of disputes between neighbouring communities.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Benedetto Barbalarga from Osimo reinterpreted these ancient quarrels in an ironic key, with a poem entitled ‘La battaja del porcu’. Although satirical in tone, the tale is based on real-life characters. The story revolves around a Doric pig that unwittingly invades the lands of Osimo in 1477, triggering a dispute that results in a real battle.
From a historical point of view, it is known that Boccolino da Guzzone, under the command of 800 Osimo citizens, defeated an army of 4,000 Ancona citizens, claiming some 200 victims and taking as many prisoners. Boccolino’s return to Osimo with the Ancona banner in his hand is considered an indelible affront, handed down from generation to generation.
The fate of the fortress over the centuries
In 1532, the Rocca was converted into a warehouse and remained the property of the city-state until the 17th century, when, in 1610, it was sold to private owners and used as a country residence or hunting lodge. Over the centuries, the complex underwent several changes: for instance, the original drawbridge was replaced by a fixed stone bridge and parts of the Rocca were adapted for residential purposes.
In May 1914, the Rocca di Bolignano was declared a property of historical and artistic interest by the Ministry of Education. Today, however, it lies in ruins, shrouded in vegetation.
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