Italia. Bel Paese Dei Castelli

Italy is a country of art, fashion, and love. And dark medieval romance as well. 

The architecture of Italy is a variety of styles, since it was formed here in ancient times during the different political, cultural, and economic periods. 

The world knows about the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Colosseum, and admires many other architectural monuments. Ancient Rome is something that a tourist can travel to without a time machine, simply arriving in Italy.  

The architecture of Italy has massively influenced the world architecture all over the globe. Today there are about 100,000 monuments in Italy, including museums, palaces, buildings, statues, churches, art galleries, villas, fountains, old houses, and archaeological sites. 

Are you excited? Wait until you hear about Thursdays at Gradara Castle!

But first things first. What is Gradara? 

Gradara

Gradara is a medieval town with an ancient fortress, 142 meters above sea level. The fortress is in the province of Pesaro and Urbino. It is towering in the border between the regions of Emilia Romagna and Marche.

Go up there, and you will be able to see both olive and grape fields, as well as the landscape of the Adriatic Sea and Mount Karpenya. 

Gradara is one of the best-preserved places in Italy, clearly conveying the spirit of the Middle Ages and the flavour of old Italy.

Nearby there are two Catholic churches, souvenir shops, a historical museum, a theatre, and, sure, restaurants and pubs to have a snack on the way through medieval times. 

Wait for the evening. You will see how the building, being sunk into twilight, illuminated in rays of a different colour. Behind the walls of Gradara Castle, there are flats available for rent to tourists. 

Lucrezia Borgia 

You may stumble across Lucrezia Borgia’s room, who settled here after marrying her first husband. According to one version, she has been living here for 4 years. 

Paolo and Francesca

The Paolo and Francesca legend takes place here. It says that Paolo has settled here to be near his beloved – his brother’s wife, more often.

А young girl from a noble family tricked he into a marriage of convenience with a bad character and crippled, Giovanni. Being passed off as his brother, Paolo fell in love with Francesca. That was a mutual feeling.

However, this story did not know a happy ending. The jealous Giovanni, finding the two in each other’s arms, drew his blade and stabbed the young lovers. Francesca got stabbed first, as she was saving Paolo. However, the rage of the betrayed husband was indomitable, and he slayed lovers cruelly.

Dante Alighieri told their story in his “Divine Comedy”.

While travelling with Virgil in Hell, Dante saw a man and a woman who never broke their embrace even after being consumed by hellfire.

Every Thursday from June to August, traditional events are here for you to join.

Every summer in Gradara, every Thursday, gives you the opportunity to time-travel to the Middle Ages. Not only for surrounding architecture, but for all the artists who perform here and hold parades in the courtyard of Malatesta’s Court, dressing in historical costumes.

What else to see?

Top 3 – Editor’s choice

Now, it’s quite a struggle to pick only 3 castles for the review, yet, let’s see where it is better to begin. We won’t even number the list, as all the castles more than deserve a tourist’s attention.

Castel del Monte

Non-trivial geometrically, the castle made of light stone and reminds a location from some indie fantasy game or a film. Technically, this is not a castle, since it lacks a moat, shaft, and drawbridge, and the very purpose of the building remains a mystery. The building construction allows it to function like a sundial.

Researchers believe that the castle was not the hunting residence of Emperor Frederick II of Hohenstaufen after all, for the interior was too rich and full of expensive good things. Some believe this is a tribute to the  Emperor’s greatness, as the whole castle sets on a plain, from which one can see the vast expanses of land. 

Castel Nuovo

Now we move to Castel Nuovo, whose only Triumphal Arch alone is one of the brightest examples of Renaissance architecture. This building saw the abdication of Pope Celestine Vand and Boniface VIII’s successor’s elevation. At the top of the arch, the statue of Archangel Michael greets tourists going inside. The building witnessed many historical events, and many historical figures such as Petrarch, Giotto, Boccaccio, and other famous historical figures.

Castel Sant’Angelo

This place served as the last refuge for the Roman emperor, the residence of the pontiffs, a fort, a dungeon, and then a museum and treasury. 

Legend has it that the plague epidemic in 590 AD ended when Archangel Michael sheathed his sword on the top of the mausoleum.

So if you are planning a trip to Italy, we advise you to visit its castles. It’s time travel, yet, beware of castle ghosts and good luck!