Places to Visit in Italy

Castles of Le Marche Region

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Close to the seaside, this castle offers the perfect break during your Italian riviera vacations at Gabicce or Cattolica, is one of the places to visit in Italy.

The castle in ruins was purchased and restored by a wealthy engineer in the twenties and then donated to the Italian government.

Gradara is now a large and beautifully preserved complex that includes a series of rooms decorated with frescoes and antiques, a medieval village and a church.

The castle was theater of the tragic love story of Paolo and Francesca.

Dante made these two characters and their story immortal in his Divina Commedia.

During 1275 beautiful Francesca da Polenta was tricked into marrying the exceedingly ugly Gianciotto Malatesta for political reasons.

Gianciotto left Francesca in the Fortress of Gradara with the only company of his handsome brother Paolo.

The two fell madly in love but Gianciotto, returning unexpectedly from a trip, discovered them together and stabbed to death the unfortunate lovers.

To shake off the tragic ghosts of its past, now the castle hosts events, workshops and festivals throughout the year.

WHERE TO STAY IN GRADARA

The fortress of San Leo is one of the places to visit in Italy and one of the most beautiful Italian Castles. It was built by Francesco di Giorgio Martini, architect to Federico Da Montefeltro, over the ruins of a medieval fort.

San Leo rises like the prow of a ship over a steep rock formation making the fort unconquerable.

It was the last prison to Count Cagliostro, the controversial alchemist, intellectual and adventurer of the 1700.

After being sentenced to death by the inquisition, Cagliostro was sent by the pope to San Leo where he died four years after. A legend says that he actually escaped and the body found in his cell was that of a monk who went to Cagliostro to offer spiritual counseling.


WHERE TO STAY IN SAN LEO

MONDAVIO

Another masterpiece by Francesco di Giorgio Martini, this fortress is in pristine conditions because it was never spoiled in a war.

It is perched on a panoramic hill overlooking the Cesano valley and is easily reached from the beaches of Senigallia.

Some of the rooms display Renaissance life scenes in meticulous details. On The top floor is the armory with antique and rare pieces.

WHERE TO STAY IN MONDAVIO

An easy drive from Civitanova Marche, this tiny town will make a delightful visit also for the kids.

The castle that dominates the small renaissance town is perfectly preserved. The Pallotta family lived in the beautifully frescoed rooms until the thirties.

You can still admire the antique furniture (some almost as old as the castle itself), the carriage collection, the bathroom, the kitchen and the armor room all perfectly preserved and authentic.

The Pallotta castle and the delightful village of Caldarola are some of the places to visit in Italy.

WHERE TO STAY IN CALDAROLA



TOLENTINO

Going to Tolentino the impressive Castello della Rancia is easily visible from the highway.

Originally it was built to store grains by the monks (thus the name grancia or farm). During 1357 it was transformed in castle and became scene of many ferocious battles.

WHERE TO STAY IN TOLENTINO



OFFAGNA

The formidable castle of Offagna dominates the plain below and offers a fantastic view.

The central tower houses a collection of antique weapons.

Every year in July this charming village becomes the magic setting for a medieval festival.

WHERE TO STAY IN OFFAGNA