The Rocca Fortress and the Porta Pieve (Pieve Gate) is what remain of an ancient defensive system. The primitive building dates back to 1378 and was constructed on the order of the bishop of Bologna. A new military structure replaced the fortress around the end of the following century. It has been repeatedly enlarged, more so when Cardinal Giulio della Rovere (bishop of Bologna and future Pope Giulio II) stayed in Cento. The Fortress played a particular defensive role after the year 1598 when it became part of a powerful military system.
