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Catsles in Italy

Ca' d'Oro

Ca' d'Oro, by Karl Borg

Ca' d'Oro
Town: Venice Address: Calle della Ca' d'Oro Phone: +39 41 523 87 90

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Ca' d'Oro is considered the finest example of Venetian architecture from the Renaissance. The magnificent palace was built during the 15th Century and was decorated with a breathtaking gilded facade in the Gothic style, from where its name, translated as 'Golden House', is derived. The architects of the most beautiful palace facing the Canal Grande were Giovanni and Bartolomeo Bon. Initially, the fabulous dwelling was used by the Contarini family as their residence. Over the course of time, the famous gold cover eroded and now the facade reveals pink and white stones. In the beginning of the 20th Century the building was restored by its owner, Baron Giorgio Franchetti, but it retained its glamorous appearance Nowadays, Ca' d'Oro is one of the leading magnets for tourists in Venice with its unique architecture and variety of valuable objects, frescoes, mosaics and paintings that are stored inside.

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Castel di Decima
Town: Rome Address: Via Clarice Tartufari 81 Phone: +39 06 699 12 43
Website: http://www.casteldidecima.it/home_eng.htm
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Castel Di Decima, set in the very vicinity of Rome, soars in the sky nearby the old Roman road to Naples. Thanks to its location at the tenth milestone, it earned its illustrious name (decima meaning ten). The citadel turret and the on-site chiesa (church) are older structures, mostly comprised of ancient walls and featuring an intricate set of underground passages as well as a Roman pool. Owing to its long and tumultuous history, the castle has played host to a number of famous figures, including Cardinal Luigi Torriggiani, who owned the castle in the late 18th Century, and initiated the thorough restructuring of the site during that period. Towards the turn of the 20th Century, the site was passed over to the Pallavicini family, while in 1938 Count Romolo Vaselli purchased the property, restoring a large portion of it to its present appearance. Castel Di Decima maintains a tight

Castel Sant D'Angelo

Castel Sant D'Angelo, by Greg Fulton

Castel Sant D'Angelo
Town: Rome Address: Lungotevere Castello 50 Phone: +39 06 681 91 11	Price: 0 - 5 EUR

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Having passed Sant' Angelo Bridge, one is immediately confronted with the mighty structure of Castel Sant'Angelo. This fortress was started by Hadrian and was designed to serve as his family tomb. It was not until the Medieval period that this tomb received several additional structures, including the present-day ramparts and tower. Thus, the castle acquired a distinctly Medieval feel. Thoroughly transformed into a citadel, Castel Sant'Angelo is, however, organised around the old tomb of Hadrian, with the innermost walls being perfectly preserved and the Medieval bastions having remained intact. There are also several entrances remaining of the initial construction, as well as the original tower from Hadrian's era. The marble coating and the sumptuous sculptures, however, belong to a more recent epoque.
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Castelli Romani
Town: Rome

Castelli Romani, literally meaning Roman Castles, refers to a set of hill-towns in the vicinity of Rome, characterised by important Medieval structures. In Roman times, this was a frequent retreat for the patrician population of Rome, and thus, thanks to its fresher air, the area received a good collection of Roman villas. During the Middle Ages the popes followed the trend, erecting a bulk of summer residences, most notably the fort at Castel Gandolfo. The noble families which ruled in the castelli, featuring the Orsini, Colonna, Chigi, Aldobrandini and Ruspoli families, have left an array of artifacts for the visitors to admire. Thus, the vicinity was freckled with the villas of Domitian Cicero, Vitellius and Pompeus Magnum, meanwhile receiving a temple dedicated to Jupiter Laziale, a shrine to Diana, Christian catacombs, etc. The hillside group of towns is enclosed by a chain of scenic lakes,

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Castello Della Castelluccia
Town: Rome Address: Via Carlo Cavina
Website: http://www.lacastelluccia.com/
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Erected between the 12th and 13th Centuries, Castello Della Castelluccia is the Medieval continuation of an ancient Roman villa. It is also among the few distnictly Medieval structures to be found in proximity to the city's historic centre. The site is relatively isolated, occypying a green hill and surrounded by a garden. The Vatican with its papal splendour is set some 10 kilometres away, while the historic centre of Rome is 15 kilometres from the spot. Castello Della Castelluccia enjoys an evocative landscape, causing many artists to flock here with their easels and admire the dramatic outline of the stone structure against the woodlands and the lush greenery. As the site has been partially converted into a hotel, one can frequently see guests lounging outside and sunbathing. You can also try out horse-riding, strolling or contemplating the vistas of the wooded hills. The castle's lavish rooms include richly decorated rooms with furniture belonging to different period

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Castello di Tolcinasco
Town: Milan Address: Località Tolcinasco Phone: +39 2 9042 8035 e-mail: golf@golftolcinasco.it

Castello di Tolcinasco (Castle of Tolcinasco) dates from the 16th Century, when it was in possession of the Adda family and served as a defensive bastion. Today, the restored four-tower castle is known as the Castello di Tolcinasco Golf & Country Club, sporting a 27-hole golf course designed by Arnold Palmer, as well as a nine-hole Executive course.

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Castello Scandeluzza
Town: Rome Address: Via Scandeluzza 10

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Scandeluzza Castle, an awe-inspiring structure of the early 18th Century, once belonged to the noble Pellegrini family. Set in the vicinity of Rome's historic centre, this Medieval structure is still inhabited by its rightful proprietors, and displays to its visitors exuberant interiors in the eclectic style, rich marble structures, lavish staircases and ultimate royal splendour. The site resembles a collectors' museum, being literally crammed with pieces of art. Conceived as a manor house, it now has been partially converted into a high-end hotel. Its owner, Prince Filippo Maria, gladly takes visitors along for a stroll through the vast corridors and spacious halls. Thus, this history-laden castello exhibits frescoed walls, valuable marble statues, 18th-century marble fireplaces and a lush garden, where torches are lit during the night. A section of the building is being used for various functions, meetings and ceremonies.

Castello Sforzesco

Castello Sforzesco, by Luca Somazzi

Castello Sforzesco
Town: Milan Address: Piazza Castello 3 Phone: +39 2 8846 3700 e-mail: claudio.salsi@comune.milano.it

The 14th-century Castello Sforzesco houses several of Milan's museums and art collections. In 1450, the castle was reconstructed by Francesco Sforza and transformed into a ducal residence. The castle has changed hands in comparatively rapid succession under French, Spanish, Austrian and Italian lords. Entrance to the castle is free of charge, and the various museums charge between 3.00 and 7.00 EUR.
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