Rocca di Ravaldino Fortress

The Fortress of Ravaldino, commonly known as 'Rocca di Caterina', in its current structure, was built at the behest of Pino III Ordelaffi, Lord of Forlì from 1466 to 1480.
Conceived for defensive purposes, the project was entrusted in 1471 to the architect Giorgio Marchesi da Settignano, who designed it according to the most modern dictates of military architecture.
With a square plan and circular towers at its corners, the fortress is dominated by an imposing main tower (mastio), placed at the centre of the north-west curtain wall.

The architect Giorgio Marchesi is also responsible for the design of the 'Cittadella', a fortification with a four-sided plan, created to house troop contingents.

The era of the Riario-Sforza Seigniory (1480-1500), which succeeded the Ordelaffi, saw the construction of a residential palace (now lost), known as 'Il Paradiso' (Paradise) for its sumptuous appearance.
After the murder of the Lord of Forli Girolamo Riario, victim of the Orsi conspiracy (1488), his wife Caterina Sforza chose to live mainly in the fortress complex.
In December 1499, she led the extreme defence of the fortress besieged by the Valentino (Cesare Borgia, son of Pope Alexander VI), in his political plan to conquer Romagna.
Following the defeat of Catherine (January 1500) and the passage of Forlì to Papal rule, the fortress took on mainly a detaining function.