The Rocca Roveresca in Senigallia, located in Piazza del Duca in the heart of the Marche town, is one of the most important historic monuments in the region. The project for the conservative rehabilitation and restoration of the external façades of the monumental complex aimed to ensure its preservation, structural safety, and architectural enhancement—safeguarding a landmark building that embodies the identity of the city.

A monument of historical and architectural significance

Built between the 14th and 15th centuries on the remains of an earlier Roman tower, the Rocca Roveresca is an extraordinary example of Renaissance military architecture. Originally erected as a defensive stronghold of the Papal States, it was expanded over the centuries by the Malatesta and Della Rovere families, eventually taking on its current quadrilateral layout with four circular towers connected by ramparts and crowned with Istrian stone corbels.

Today, the Rocca is managed by the Regional Directorate of Museums of the Marche and is among the most visited sites of the region’s architectural heritage—thanks also to the restoration efforts that have ensured its preservation and continued accessibility to the public.

Conservation-driven interventions

The project involved targeted conservation and restoration work on the external façades, including:

• Rehabilitation of the brick masonry facing

• Restoration and structural consolidation of the stone elements

The intervention followed the principles of integrated conservation, prioritizing material compatibility and reversibility. All operations were supported by an extensive diagnostic campaign carried out in collaboration with the Universities of Camerino and Marche Polytechnic University, involving laser scanner surveys, mechanical analyses, and seismic vulnerability studies.

The construction site was organized into three operational phases, with progressive work on the different sides of the Rocca to ensure safety and continuity of museum activities.

Enhancing cultural heritage

The restoration of the Rocca Roveresca in Senigallia stands as a model of heritage preservation and enhancement: an intervention that combines traditional craftsmanship with technological innovation.
Through this project, the Rocca once again becomes a cultural and symbolic landmark for the city and the Marche region, a place of history, art, and collective memory, fully integrated into the network of state museums and territorial cultural promotion systems.