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Farnese Castle in Isola Farnese: the Orsini manor transformed by Vignola
In the hamlet of Isola Farnese, just a few miles from Rome along the Via Cassia, the Farnese Castle stands at the end of Vicolo Baronale on a tufa spur. It was built by the Orsini family in the 13th century with a circular keep (torrione), a moat, and a drawbridge: a fortress designed to control the territory of ancient Veii.
The Cardinal’s arrival
In 1567, Cardinal Alessandro Farnese the Younger purchased the castle from the Orsini and commissioned Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola (known as Vignola) to transform it. The result is what remains today: a noble palace that nonetheless retains its medieval military framework, with square towers still clearly discernible and a central well that remains in its original location.
What to see and how to visit
The architectural layering of different eras is immediately apparent from the outside: the entrance arch, adorned with the Farnese coat of arms, is superimposed on the original defensive structures. The inner courtyard is the most eyecatching feature. Today, the castle is a private venue for events and weddings, so public access is not always guaranteed.
