This was the 15th campaign of excavations in the archaeological area of Monte Copiolo (PU) carried out by Urbino University’s Department of Medieval Archaeology. Following three years of investigations in the area of the Complesso della Misericordia (Area 9) situated at the base of the settlement, this season the excavations returned to focus on the interior of the enclosure on the summit.

A new trench (Trench H) was opened to the south of preceding trenches G and D2. The chosen area was useful for the understanding and investigation of the final section of the summit palatium. The quadrangular trench measured c. 4.5 (east-west) x 5 (north-south) metres.
A 17th century watercolour by Francesco Mingucci shows that the palatium was closed to the south by a quadrangular tower. The aim of the new trench was to look for the remains of the tower, also because the presence of several anomalies in the terrain suggested the presence of walls below ground.

Several layers relating to the post-16th century demolition of the castle were removed revealing the remains of a quadrangular room that may be interpreted as the inner room of an oversized structure, probably the tower shown in the watercolour. The excavation of the structure remains to be completed and continuation of the investigation should further define the chronological development of its use.