Castello di Isola Farnese: A Medieval Castle in Rome
Site at a Glance
- Rating
- 4.5
- Popularity
- Low
- Country
- Italy
- Primary era
- Medieval
- External website
- Open
- Eras represented
- Medieval, Early Modern
- Civilizations
- Papal States
- Site type
- Military
- Remains
- Castle
On this page5 sections
History
Castello di Isola Farnese is a medieval castle in Italy, in the Isola Farnese area of Rome, built by the Orsini family during the thirteenth century. The Orsini, a powerful Roman noble family with extensive territories and major feudal titles, held the castle for centuries, including under Paolo Giordano Orsini, the first Duke of Bracciano. The castle later became associated with the Farnese family and with the political history of central Italy.
From the Orsini to the Farnese
On 9 October 1560, the Roman nobleman Alessandro Olgiati purchased the property for 17,250 scudi as nominee for Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, a senior church official who also exercised considerable political authority. Farnese acquired the castle directly on 16 April 1567 for 16,500 scudi. The baronial palace within the complex originated in the Late Middle Ages, while its present form was principally shaped under Farnese ownership. A project for the palace was prepared in 1567 by Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola, one of the leading architects of the Italian Renaissance.
Papal and aristocratic ownership
The castle became property of the Apostolic Camera, the central financial and administrative institution of the Papal States, on 19 December 1649. This transfer followed the incorporation of the Duchy of Castro and its associated possessions and rights into papal administration for 1,629,750 scudi.
During the early nineteenth century, ownership passed to Maria Anna of Savoy, Duchess of Chablais and wife of Benedetto of Savoy. By inheritance in 1824, it passed to Maria Cristina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, queen consort of Sardinia and wife of Charles Felix of Savoy. The property later belonged to the Rospigliosi and Ferraioli families. The Ferraioli family owned it by the late nineteenth century, and on 31 March 1961 the castle passed to the Di Robilant family. It is also known as Castello Farnese and Castello Ferraioli.
Remains
Fortress and baronial palace
The surviving site is a medieval castle or fortress standing 22 metres high, with a baronial palace incorporated into the complex. The palace forms part of the castle’s built fabric rather than a separate structure. The castle is currently inhabited, preserving its character as a functioning historic residence as well as a medieval fortified complex.
