Friends with castles in Italy

visits, parties, weddings, getaways

A reader planning a destination wedding in Italy recently asked me “ Do you have any friends with castles?”

Ruspoli Castle, Vignanello, Lazio -perfect for weddings and often used as film set

Gomici Castle, Umbria

My first reaction was to send her this short (8 minute) home-made video interview made during covid lockdown. Its a quick introduction to some neighboring castles in central Italy and also to real people - those lucky people who have a family castle that they still live in and call home.

Owning a castle is not all pomp and ceremony, for in order to help with upkeep on these large historical properties many privately-owned castles are now open for public events, visits, for weddings and rental of holiday apartments.

Many magnificent castles and fortresses have been sold over the centuries and turned into town halls or museums. Every once in a while the Italian government sells off unusual properties belonging to the “demanio” ( including lighthouses, islands, former prisons) at auction.

Anyone interested in an octagonal fortress in the Venetian lagoon ?

The FAI (Fondo per l’ Ambiente Italiano) which I helped set up and organize here in Northern Lazio back in 2002-06, manages a large number of castles, gardens and manor houses. Each spring in March, FAI volunteers offer tours at hundreds of sites throughout Italy during “Le Giornate di Primavera” when they can be visited for free or with a small donation.

brochures we distributed during past open houses -Check their website for upcoming dates and information

Other precious information for “castle connoisseurs” can be found on the website of the Istituto Italiano dei Castelli which lists most of the over 20,000 castles in Italy. (click on the underlined link)

Some of the large books about Castles in many areas of Italy that can be purchased from my ebay page - click on this link maryjancrya_0 to browse over 1,500 books, mostly in Italian. I mail out books twice weekly

Do you have a favorite castle in Italy? Have you ever stayed in one?

Watch the video and meet some of my friends who open up their family castles in the lovely area north of Rome known as Etruria or Tuscia .

A list and map of castles in central Italy is included in my book which is available at several castles, gardens and many tourist offices and bookshops in the Tuscia/Etruria area. Or order your signed copy directly -free postage to readers with Italian addresses.

Cover art by Patricia Glee Smith

To order a copy, just send me a message.