The early Middle Ages
The decline in power of the Western Roman Empire at the end of the
5th century did not bring about the elimination of its civil and
military infrastructure. Availing themselves of the support of the
Church and its bishops, the legitimate successors of the Roman emperors
in Italy the Ostrogoths around 500 AD, the eastern Byzantine Empire
towards the middle of the 6 century, and the Longobards from 568/70
onwards made use of the regional administration to impose their sovereignty.
Having been an important imperial stronghold since the 4th century,
Bellinzona was incorporated in the military organisation of the succession
states, continuing to fulfil its strategic purpose and, as archaeological
research on the Castelgrande has revealed, was even enlarged and
modified when circumstances so required. When the Longobards occupied
northern Italy, Bellinzona, which had probably already fallen under
the dominion of Milan in the 5th century, became the seat of a permanent
garrison responsible for the defence of the site from raids by Frankish-Alemannic
troops. Popular legend has it that in 590 an attack by the Franks
was repulsed after an enemy commander was felled by a defender's
spear.
In the early Middle Ages, Castelgrande rock, together with its late Roman city
walls, constituted an almost impregnable fortress; the Longobard kings were therefore
anxious to keep the stronghold of Bellinzona securely in their possession, even
if, at that time, the Alpine passes it protected were only of secondary importance.
During the early Middle Ages, the area of Castelgrande also comprised some private
land, so that only the central area within the fortified perimeter was still
the property of the rulers. Bellinzona's involvement in the disputes between
the Carolingian and Longobard dynasties was probably only marginal. There is
no evidence to suggest that a military event was the cause of a fire, which,
according to archaeological findings, destroyed the southern part of the castle
in the year 800.
< previous section | next section >
|
