CAETANI CASTLE OF SERMONETA

The Caetani castle

 The stronghold of Sermoneta and his dungeons.
The origins of the Caetani castle date back to the 13th century  
History of the castle
  • History
The origins of the Caetani castle, which dominates the medieval village of Sermoneta, date back to the 13th century when it was in the hands of the Annibaldi family. By then it was already characterized by two fortified keeps, the Maschio, a 42-metre-high tower, and an adjacent smaller, known as the Maschietto.

In 1297, Pietro Caetani, used the suasion of his uncle Pope Boniface VIII to acquire a number of properties from the Annibaldi family. These included Sermoneta and Bassiano. In the 15th century, the Caetani significantly expanded the castle at Sermoneta. 
 The collegiate church of San Pietro, where the remains of the Caetani family were kept, was re-sited within the Piazza D’Armi. The Camere Pinte, frescoed rooms with mythological and allegorical scenes, date back to the 1470.

In 1499 Pope Borgia Alexander VI, excommunicated the Caetani and took possession of their property, depriving them of privileges and rights. Under the Borgia, the castle became a military fortress: the city walls were reinforced, the citadel was constructed, as was the walkway running the length of the battlements. The upper level of the Maschio was destroyed and with it the Church of San Pietro in Corte, which was razed to the ground with no respect for the remains of the Caetani buried there since 1400.
In 1504, soon after the death of Pope Alexander VI, Pope Julius II Della Rovere reinstated the Caetani as Lords of Sermoneta.

In the course of its history, the Caetani castle has hosted emperors, popes, princes and cardinals, and grandiose celebrations. In On 2 April 1536 a great honour was paid to Charles V, who, accompanied by 1000 knights and 4000 infantrymen, visited the castle as guest of Boniface I Caetani (1514–1574).

In the 17th century the Caetani began to move away, and with Sermoneta no longer having its former strategic importance the castle was gradually abandoned. In the 18th century the castle suffered devastation and looting by the Spanish and French military, and during the 19th century it was used as a military warehouse.

Only at the end of the 19th century did the Caetani return to occupy it at which time they initiated major restoration work, transforming the castle into a social and educational centre.  

Today the Roffredo Caetani Foundation protects and preserves the castle, thus perpetuating the work begun by the centuries-old Caetani family.
  • History
The origins of the Caetani castle, which dominates the medieval village of Sermoneta, date back to the 13th century when it was in the hands of the Annibaldi family. By then it was already characterized by two fortified keeps, the Maschio, a 42-metre-high tower, and an adjacent smaller, known as the Maschietto.

In 1297, Pietro Caetani, used the suasion of his uncle Pope Boniface VIII to acquire a number of properties from the Annibaldi family. These included Sermoneta and Bassiano. In the 15th century, the Caetani significantly expanded the castle at Sermoneta. 
 The collegiate church of San Pietro, where the remains of the Caetani family were kept, was re-sited within the Piazza D’Armi. The Camere Pinte, frescoed rooms with mythological and allegorical scenes, date back to the 1470.

In 1499 Pope Borgia Alexander VI, excommunicated the Caetani and took possession of their property, depriving them of privileges and rights. Under the Borgia, the castle became a military fortress: the city walls were reinforced, the citadel was constructed, as was the walkway running the length of the battlements. The upper level of the Maschio was destroyed and with it the Church of San Pietro in Corte, which was razed to the ground with no respect for the remains of the Caetani buried there since 1400.
In 1504, soon after the death of Pope Alexander VI, Pope Julius II Della Rovere reinstated the Caetani as Lords of Sermoneta.

In the course of its history, the Caetani castle has hosted emperors, popes, princes and cardinals, and grandiose celebrations. In On 2 April 1536 a great honour was paid to Charles V, who, accompanied by 1000 knights and 4000 infantrymen, visited the castle as guest of Boniface I Caetani (1514–1574).

In the 17th century the Caetani began to move away, and with Sermoneta no longer having its former strategic importance the castle was gradually abandoned. In the 18th century the castle suffered devastation and looting by the Spanish and French military, and during the 19th century it was used as a military warehouse.

Only at the end of the 19th century did the Caetani return to occupy it at which time they initiated major restoration work, transforming the castle into a social and educational centre.  

Today the Roffredo Caetani Foundation protects and preserves the castle, thus perpetuating the work begun by the centuries-old Caetani family.
The caetani castle
The origins of the Caetani castle, located in the medieval village of Sermoneta, date back to the 13th century when the Holy See entrusted the towns of Sermoneta, Bassiano, San Donato and other annexed territories to the baronial family of the Annibaldi.
the CAETANI castle
The origins of the Caetani castle, located in the medieval village of Sermoneta, date back to the 13th century when the Holy See entrusted the towns of Sermoneta, Bassiano, San Donato and other annexed territories to the baronial family of the Annibaldi.
How to visit the Caetani Castle of Sermoneta
  • Guided tours
  • organized groups
  • schools
  • informations
PUBBLIC OPENINGS
The entrance to the Caetani Castle in Sermoneta is divided into time slots. The visit, lasting about 1 hour, takes place exclusively accompanied by an official guide and in a group following a pre-established itinerary.

IMPORTANT COVID-19 EMERGENCY INFORMATION:
From 1 April 2022, for access to museums, archaeological parks, exhibitions, archives, libraries and other places of culture, the possession of the reinforced green pass, or the basic one, is no longer required. The obligation to use surgical masks remains. For more information, visit the website www.dgc.gov.it. Admission is limited in compliance with the physical distance provided for the safety of visitors. 

The collaboration of each visitor is precious to ensure that the visit to the Castle takes place in maximum safety: YOU MUST BRING A MASK FROM HOME, at the entrance our staff will provide information on hygiene and health measures to be respected during the visit: always wear a mask. In some places, dispensers with sanitizing gel are available. 
TIMING AND ENTRANCE CONTRIBUTION  
Orari e Contributi d’ingresso L’ingresso al Castello per le visite guidate è nei seguenti giorni e orari, per acquistare i contributi di ingresso è necessario andare sul sito: https://www.giardinodininfa.eu/collections/castello-caetani-di-sermoneta

To organize a private group visit (outside the opening days indicated on the website https://www.giardinodininfa.eu/collections/castello-caetani-di-sermoneta)
it is necessary to send an email to castello@frcaetani.it

With the indispensable contribution of each visitor, the Roffredo Caetani Foundation provides for the maintenance and enhancement of the Caetani Castle in Sermoneta.

THE ENTRANCE FEES CAN BE PURCHASED HERE
Adult € 8 p.p. -
Visitor with a disability + accompanying person* € 6 p.p. *For disabled people with accompanist, it is possible to purchase the contribution directly at the Caetani Castle in Sermoneta without the need to book for the time slot.
Children under 12 years old**
 Free **accompanied by an adult 
Adult € 8 p.p.
Visitor with a disability + accompanying person* € 6 p.p.
Children under 12 years old**
 Free
*For disabled people with accompanist, it is possible to purchase the contribution directly at the Caetani Castle in Sermoneta without the need to book for the time slot.
**Accompanied by an adult
The Castle closes one hour after the ticket office closing time.
ORGANIZED GROUP
Groups, consisting of a minimum of 25 participants, can visit the Caetani Castle at any time of the year, except on Thursdays, the weekly closing day.

The visit to the castle can be booked by email for information, costs and methods writing to:  castello@frcaetani.it
ENTRANCE CONTRIBUTION
With the indispensable contribution of each visitor, the Roffredo Caetani Foundation provides for the maintenance and enhancement of the Caetani Castle of Sermoneta.
Groups  minimum 25 pax € 6,00 p.p. -
Children  under 12 years old* Free * Accompanied by an adult  
Groups minimum 25 pax € 6,00 p.p.
Children under 12 years old* Free
* Accompanied by an adult
Invoices are issued only for Institutions and puclic entities, Travel Agencies or other companies in possession of a VAT number, for payments made only and exclusively by bank transfer. Invoices must be requested no later than 15 days from the date of the visit to the Castle.
SCHOOL GROUPS
School groups can visit the Caetani Castle every Tuesday and Wednesday in the months of March, April and May.

Booking is mandatory by writing an email to castello@frcaetani.it with which it will be possible to agree on the day, the number of participants and please, for organizational purposes, to provide the telephone number of a teacher who will accompany the class on the day of visit.
ENTRANCE CONTRIBUTION
With the indispensable contribution of each visitor, the Roffredo Caetani Foundation provides for the maintenance and enhancement of the Caetani Castle of Sermoneta.
Student - Guide included € 5,00 p.p.
Disabled students + accompanying person Free
Student - Guide included € 5,00 p.p.
Disabled students + accompanying person Free
Invoices are issued only for Institutions and puclic entities, Travel Agencies or other companies in possession of a VAT number, for payments made only and exclusively by bank transfer. Invoices must be requested no later than 15 days from the date of the visit to the Castle.
NO DRONE ZONE
The Roffredo Caetani Foundation informs that it is forbidden to send drones on the Caetani Castle of Sermoneta for matters of confidentiality and private property.
ENTRANCE AND VISIT
- The Directorate of the castle reserves the right to modify the itinerary for security or restoration reasons.  In special circumstances, access to the Castle will be precluded.

- We recommend comfortable clothing avoiding high heels or smooth shoe soles.

- Due to the presence of stairs and bottlenecks, the use of strollers during the visit is not recommended.
IN THE CASTLE
- Inside the Castle it is not possible to have a pic-nic.

- inside the Castle it is forbidden to bring balls, collect flowers or plants.

- We’re sorry, but dogs are not allowed.

- The castle has no bar or refreshment point.
CAETANI
castle of SERMONETA
Via della fortezza
04013 Sermoneta (LT)
ITALIA
Please note that parking is located outside the walls of Sermoneta.  
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