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Palazzo Riario in Caprarola: the story of the castle cut in half to make Via Dritta
In the centre of Caprarola, along the Via Dritta, stands Palazzo Riario Caprarola, a building with a unique history. Born as Anguillara castle in the 14th century, this building is famous for having been literally "cut in half" in the 16th century to make way for the new road commissioned by the Farnese family. A radical transformation that changed its appearance forever.
Traces of the medieval castle
Despite the Renaissance façade, the old fortress has survived. One simply needs to look closely. Observing the structure, two square towers and one circular tower are still visible, absorbed into the later masonry. The building actually has seven storeys, three of which lie below street level, resting directly on the bare rock.
Stories carved on the façade
On the window cornices — the so-called architraves — Cardinal Alessandro Riario left his mark with an inscription, a sign of his power. But perhaps the most curious story is another one entirely. There is a plaque recording the fact that here, in 1878, a steam-powered oil mill called "Il Progresso" was in operation. A piece of industrial archaeology inside a medieval palazzo.
The building is private property, and is generally not open for visits inside. Its distinctive structure and the inscriptions on the façade are, however, clearly visible while strolling along Via Dritta, which is today called Via Filippo Nicolai.
