Building and Destroying Castles: Imperial Action in Italy in the Twelfth Century

This essay examines the role of castles in the exercise of imperial power in twelfth-century Italy, focusing on Frederick I Barbarossa’s reign. Through the cases of Annone and San Miniato, it explores how castles functioned as instruments of warfare, symbols of political authority, and centers for fiscal control. Initially used mainly for destruction during imperial campaigns, castles later became key nodes in a renewed network of imperial presence and administration, marking the empire’s shifting strategies in governing Italian territories.