ccording to word-of-mouth tradition confirmed by Febonio,
during medieval times, three towers were erected on the three angular slopes of the
mountains that overlook the Altipiano (tableland): Respectively, one was at Rovere, the
intermediate at Rocca di Mezzo and the third, at Rocca di Cambio, to protect the valley
from invasion. We do not know precisely when and where the first built-up area of the very
important centre (which was part of the Rocche country-side) stood. It was probably built
between the VIII-IX century when the first people of the Rocche area who were under
constant threat of barbaric invasions, felt the need to seek refuge on a hill and to
construct a fortified enclosure and a sighting tower to defend themselves.
In 1115 in the Seal of Pope
Pasquale II that states the boundary between the Diocese of the Marsi and Forcona al Rio
Gamberale, the Damesio estate is mentioned: Rocca Demesio is numbered among the castles of
the Sublacense Abbey on the boundary with the Diocese of the Marsi.In 1112 Rocca di Mezzo belongs to Berardo d’Ocre.
In the early 1200's the community was contested by the great proprietors for the payment of tythings.
In 1251 Rocca di Mezzo belongs to Corrado IV.
In 1253 Rocca di Mezzo is among the founding castles of the city of L’Aquila.
In 1254 it belongs to Count Ruggero di Celano of the city of L’Aquila.
In 1255 from an act we understand how some vassals obtain their freedom from the feudal lords of Rocca di Mezzo who also had transferred to L’Aquila.
In 1268 Rocca di Mezzo and Rocca di Cambio take sides with Carlo I d’Angiņ against Corradino.
In 1270 the vassals of Rocca di Mezzo receive the order to pay all their subsidies to and their services to Count Ruggero of Celano.
In 1313 the following churches are censused: S.Nunzio, S.Antonio, S.Leunzio and S.Maria.
In 1347 Rocca di Mezzo is plundered and in the same year fortifications are strengthened following destruction brought about by Carlo di Durazzo and by Hungarian troops.
In 1407 King Ladislao orders Captain Giovanni de Portis to subtract Rocca di Mezzo from the jurisdiction of the captain of L’Aquila.
In 1423 Braccio da Montone puts Rocca di Mezzo under siege but only storms it the following year.
In 1431 Amico Agnifili, native of this land, who is appointed Bishop of L’Aquila has a church built behind the castle.
In 1442 Rocca di Mezzo asks Alfonso d’Aragona to be directly recalled by the State.
In 1495 Rocca di Mezzo is occupied by Fracasso Sanseverino for King Carlo VIII of France, but then is reoccupied for the King of Naples, Ferdinand by Duke Fabrizio Colonna.
In 1528 Sciarra Colonna enters the castle of Rocca di Mezzo with Gino Caracciolo and it is refortified.
In 1529 Rocca di Mezzo is given as feudal property of Garcia Manriquez.
In 1534 Garcia Manriquez sells the town to Alfonso Piccolomini d’Aragona.
In 1577 Rocca di Mezzo is owned by Camillo Antonelli.
In 1595 in an attestation of the Aquilan magistrate Rocca di Mezzo is specified as being a large walled land and is divided into four districts.
In1658 Pompeo Colonna, feudatory of the land, dies without heirs and his property becomes property of the court.
In 1663 the King sells Rocca di Mezzo to the Prince of Palestrina, Maffeo Barberini.
In 1807 feuds are abolished and the successors of Maffeo Barberini remain the peaceful owners of Rocca di Mezzo.
In 1814 the municipality of Rocca di Mezzo, on which the united municipalities of Rocca di Cambio, Terranera, Fontavignone and Rovere depend, belongs to the surronding S.Demetrio.
In 1879 the municipality unfortunately has the remains of the old castle including a tower demolished.
In 1895 Rocca di Mezzo detaches itself from S.Demetrio and reacquires complete administrative autonomy.