Archive for 'Castles & Palaces'

Roman castles, or Castelli Romani, refers to a group of small villages located to the south-east of Rome, at the feet of the Alban hills in Latium.

This is the region of an ancient volcano, which has now been transformed into a fertile agricultural land around the twin lakes of Nemi and Albano. History tells us that Roman emperors and nobles frequented the area for the fresh and pleasant climate during summer months.

The name 'castles' originated because of the number of papal villas and noble family summer palaces that were prevalent in the region. Tragically the area was ravaged by wars towards the end of the eighteenth century, including the historic Battle of Velletri and the harsh invasion of French troops.

Lunigiana is in the northern part of Tuscany, between Liguria and Pianura Padana. It’s one of the most scenic areas of the region, and is the location of 3 valleys surrounded by rivers. Its borders derive from the ancient Roman settlement, later the medieval diocese of Luni, which no longer exists. It’s a region of medieval villages with historic Romanic churches and over 100 castles.

You can visit the little towns in the area or learn about local culture and history in such places as the Museum of the Lunigiana Stele Statues of Pontremoli, the Abbey of San Caprasio, and the Ethnographic Museum of Villafranca.