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Castles - Viterbo
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POPES’ FORT
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 The major monument of papal domination, in the Middle Ages, certainly is Montefiascone’s fort. Since the beginning of the organization of the Papal State, thanks to Innocenzo the 3rd, for its strong position and centrality, it was destined to be the siege of the province’s rector. Its peculiar importance starts at that time, together with the development of its buildings, that were pushed by Urban the 4th who lived there from July to October 1262, and by Martin the 4th who stayed there from June to December 1282, and who, for the importance of the works he had made there, was wrongly thought to be the founder of the Palace where the rectors dwelled. A detailed description of the parts that composed the Fort, and of the successive restorations is kept in the Secret Vatican Archive. During the stay of the Popes in Avignone, Montefiascone’s fort was the center of the province’s political affairs.
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BOLSENA CASTLE
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 From top of its two towers, Bolsena fort offers an enchanting view of the lake and of the whole town. Its construction dates back to 1295 thanks to Orvietanis, who owned Bolsena at that time. In 1334 Ermanno Monaldeschi became owner of the center and, during the 14th and 15th century, made several works to complete and strengthen the defensive parts. Monaldeschi’s dominion ended in 1451, and in 1460 the fort was degraded; in the beginning of the 16th century the insides were rebuilt. During the following years a part of the fort was made prison, until, with the fall of the entering bridges, the insides started to collapse. In 1612 Bolsena fort was given to cardinal Sanesio, Orvieto’s bishop, to stay there on holidays. A powerful earthquake in 1665 caused enormous damages, and then, in 1750, Benedetto the 14th gave it in emphyteusis to captain Florido Zampi, who was obliged to bear the restoration expenses. In the first years of the 20th century, thanks to the Public Works Ministry, the first restorations were made. In 1977, with the help of the Region Latium, they started to make a museum out of the castle.
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PROCENO CASTLE
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 The Tuscia region is rich of an Etrurian past and medieval and renaissance monuments. Proceno castle is an ancient fort of the 12th century, built to protect the ancient village. Perfectly restored, it includes: a restaurant close to the swimming pool, a wine-restaurant in the cellars of the castle, a small fort with three big apartments: Spring, Summer and Autumn and a small inner medieval square that leads to four smaller apartments: The Corset, The Small Cloister, The Lodge and The Hovel. From here it starts an ancient underground passage dug in the rock where the swimming pool and the restaurants are. The land goes down with terracing from where you can have a wonderful view of the valley and of Amiata Mountain.
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From the websites: www.manieri.it
www.mondimedievali.it e www.icastelli.it
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B
A C K
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LOOK
at LAZIO
- Via Zuccari, 32 - 00063 Campaganano (RM) -
E-mail:
info@lookatlazio.it |
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