Patrol walkways in Loreto
Camminamenti di ronda a Loreto, 60025, Loreto, AN, Province of Ancona, Italy. . The basilica of Loreto is fortified in the upper part with a walkway and stone corbels, which support them also with a decorative function; on behalf of Cardinal Girolamo Basso della Rovere the construction was started by Giuliano da Maiano and subsequently modified and completed by Baccio Pontelli in a typically Renaissance style.
The walkways are covered and protruding corridors with a continuous series of vaulted windows around the upper part of the basilica, to allow easy defense in case of attacks - as had already happened by the Turks in a bloody way in Otranto in 1480; the year before in nearby Grottammare and in 1518 in Porto Recanati; the latter attack which caused an order by Pope Leo X for a further fortification of Loreto, which fortunately was never attacked. In the upper internal part of the building and behind the walkways, there are the rooms that were once used as accommodation for the guards for the defense of the sanctuary. These are now used as a museum for the collection of ancient objects, sports memorabilia of the aeronautics and other religious and cultural uses, you can also admire the mannequin of a guard in period clothes with halberds and other objects. The walkways themselves have been restored and can be visited since 2009; from the top of these you can admire a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside and the Conero Riviera. from Wikipedia
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