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| Pope
Paul III made his own decision: the Pope's stronghold must be in the "most beautiful
place" which also happened to be strategically the strongest. That was also the spot
which for centuries had been covered with the palace-homes of the Baglioni. |
| Every Baglioni
palace was torn stone from stone except a few walls which the architect Antonio da San
Gallo wished to incorporate into the new building. In this catastrophe fine works of art,
and many historic monuments were lost. The destruction included, in addition to the
Baglioni homes, 26 towers, 11 churches (one of which was the magnificent church of Santa
Maria dei Servi), 2 monasteries, and 300 houses in the Borgo Santa Giuliana. The Porta Marzia had
been pulled down and rebuilt at a distance of about fourteen feet from its original
position. |
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On September 23rd
1540, the builders made a start with the foundations of the vast edifice, which came
to be known as the Rocca Paolina. |
| The citizens of Perugia
were compelled to help in its construction. For three years the oppressive work was pushed on, and in 1543
the Rocca Paolina was finished. |
It
was a vast construction consisting of two parts: the Cittadella and the Tanaglia,
united by a long covered corridor . The former stood at the higher level and
covered the area now occupied by the Governor's Palace, the Hotel Brufani, the Bank of
Italy, the Calderini Palace and the various spaces around these buildings. The Tanaglia
(pincers) stood on the lower ground adjacent to the old Piazza d'Armi. |
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| During
the years preceding the death of Paul III in 1549, the city was smothered in
clericalism, trade and commerce dwindled but the mighty garrison fortress never came into
active life. |
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