Rocca farnese

Rocca Farnese

The Farnese fortress is the symbol of Capodimonte, it is located at the highest point of its historic center above a volcanic rock that directly overlooks Lake Bolsena. The building was created by the will of the ancient lords of Bisenzio and owes its beautiful quadrangular structure to the architectural inspiration of Antonio da Sangallo the Younger. A fortress villa in which the noble Farnese family resided and in whose rooms some of the most important popes in history have stayed. Today the palace, or also known as the Farnese fortress, is surrounded by a luxuriant garden with ornamental trees, hedges and flower beds in the “Italian style”. It is currently privately owned, but part of the fortress is intended for tourist accommodation which takes place with guided tours on request. Furthermore, this majestic palace of inestimable historical and architectural value is linked to the personal history of Giulia Farnese, sister of Pope Paul III, who according to many scholars was born right inside the rooms of this palace. Although it is difficult to ascertain the total authenticity of this curious anecdote, what this building certainly represents is a glorious past that has given and taken away a lot from the village of Capodimonte. The Farnese fortress is a fairy-tale place, a dream castle but above all an important piece of indelible historical memory of the small village of Capodimonte.

Fauna photo gallery of Lake Bolsena