The Rocca di Gradara , a jewel of Italian fortified architecture, is the result of various reconstructive phases that have taken place over the centuries until the last major restoration carried out between 1921 and 1923, which characterized the building with a strong imprint of medieval and neo-medieval style.

The structure of the fortress can be recognized among the typical examples of military architecture of the fourteenth century. Remained in the possession of the Malatesta family until the defeat of the family by Federico di Montefeltro in 1463, the complex passed to the Sforza of Pesaro, a family that ruled between 1445 and 1512, years of great splendor for the city and its castles Between 1921 and 1923 the entire complex underwent a complete restoration by Umberto Zanvettore , a little known figure of a lover of the arts and patron. Alongside massive consolidation work on the walls, he had the rooms set up, in particular those on the main floor, where the layout of a noble residence between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance was re-proposed. The furnishing of the rooms is carefully chosen with pieces of undoubted artistic value found on the antiques market and eclectically mixed in the different environments, which have walls covered with decorations painted with the revival of the heraldic emblems of the ancient lords and, sometimes, a considerable degree of arbitrariness .

A legend, however, born quite recently, has it that the tragic story of Paolo and Francesca , the unhappy lovers sung by Dante in Canto V of Hell, took place within the walls of the residence.