Which family used the Colosseum as a fortress in the 12th century?

The Frangipane family used the Colosseum as a fortified stronghold in the 12th century. Around 1200, this powerful Roman family took control of the amphitheatre and adapted it for defensive use, apparently treating the massive structure like a castle.

The Colosseum had already undergone dramatic changes by the medieval period. Its arcades housed homes and workshops, while parts of the building served religious and commercial purposes. Its thick walls, elevated position and maze of enclosed spaces made it useful in a city where aristocratic families often fortified urban properties and competed for influence.

The Frangipane association is easy to confuse with later medieval users of the monument. The Orsini, Borgia and Medici were all prominent Italian families, but they are not the family identified with turning the Colosseum into a fortress. After the Frangipane period, the building suffered earthquake damage, abandonment and extensive stone removal. Much of its material was reused in other Roman buildings, helping create the ruined appearance seen today.