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The Fortress of St Leucio in Veroli: the megalithic walls of the Hernici and the tower where a pope was imprisoned
In the north-eastern part of Veroli, Rocca di San Leucio is the highest point of the city. It has always been important for the control of the territory. Here the Hernici built their defensive walls in polygonal work between the end of the 4th and beginning of the 3rd century BC, with irregular limestone blocks placed directly on the living rock. The walls reach 6 metres in height at some points.
The history of the fortress
The Romans reused and reinforced the Hernician walls. In the 10th century, the medieval Rocca was built on the summit: a tower of the Apostolic Chamber where Pope John XIII was imprisoned in 965, and which also hosted Pope Alexander III fleeing from Rome. In 1406, the people of Veroli resisted the assault of Ladislao of Durazzo. The tower where they fought is still called "Torre della lotta" (Tower of the fight) today.
The route along the walls
The best-preserved section can be visited thanks to an “archaeological” walk that starts from the Rocca and descends along the eastern slope. Along the path, some posterulae (small secondary lintel entrances) are still visible. A short distance from the Rocca stands the Romanesque church of San Leucio, founded in 1079.
