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Savelli-Torlonia Castle in Palombara Sabina: frescoes from the School of Raphael
In Palombara Sabina, in the province of Rome, the Castello Savelli Torlonia continues to dominate the historic centre. The complex is in the shape of an irregular hexagon, and consists of three palaces, four towers, three courtyards, a chapel, and 108 rooms. The earliest records date back to 1064 in the Regesto Sublacense (Subiaco Register). Held by the Ottaviani family for two centuries, it was passed on to the Savelli family in 1216. It was under their lordship that the fortress began to take on its current architectural form.
The Renaissance transformation of 1480
A major renovation took place in 1480, when Giacomo and Troilo Savelli, alongside their uncle, Cardinal Giovan Battista Savelli, transformed the medieval fortress into a baronial residence. They created three distinct residential quarters: the Cardinal’s Apartment, Giacomo’s Apartment, and Troilo’s Apartment. They remain clearly identifiable in the current floor plan. The most significant halls are decorated with 16th-century frescoes attributed to the School of Raphael. In 1556, during the war between Pope Paul IV and the Spanish Crown, part of the castle was set on fire by the Duke of Alba. In 1870, the property was acquired by the local Municipality, and in the early 20th century it was repurposed as a district prison.
The castle today
Following extensive restoration works carried out in the 1980s, the castle now houses a guesthouse, a conference hall, and venues for cultural events. The roof garden, offering a panoramic view that stretches from the Cornicolani Mountains all the way to the sea, is currently used to host receptions.
