The Albornoz Fortress – Orvieto
The elements that have survived the architectural distortions of the 19th century, such as some lengths of the outside walls and the rampart walk which look down onto the Paglia Valley, testify, still today, the importance of this fortress wanted by Cardinal Albornoz for the restoration of Papal power. Building began in 1359, the fortress became the object of strenuous battles: its submission equalled not only the conquest of Orvieto, but also of the vast, surrounding territory. In 1389 it suffered its first destruction by Luca I Monaldeschi della Cervara who was fighting against the Monaldeschi del cane. Pope Boniface IX intervened in order to restore peace. In 1413, Francesco I Orsini had the fortress defence system strengthened, but just a year later, the new fortifications were not enough to repel the assaults by Ladislao D’Angio’.
Reduced to disastrous conditions, in 1450 the fortress was rebuilt with the definite submission of Orvieto to Papal power. In 1527, on the wishes of Clement VII, Antonio da Sangallo realised the well of Saint Patrick (Pozzo di S. Patrizio), a water supply system for the fortress and the city.

Prodo – Orvieto
Built on a series of precipices in a strategic position on the ancient road that linked Orvieto with Todi, Prodo castle is an important construction, characterised by protruding corner towers covered with roofs. There are two inside courtyards: one of remarkable dimensions and of longitudinal plan, the other smaller one, is “z” shaped. During its history, it remained substantially under the power of this city: to begin with, “run” by some mercenaries, such as Giovanni di Cecco di Montemarte, and then directly by the Cathedral opera, to whom it belonged until Umbria became part of the Kingdom of Italy (1861).
In July 1849, Garibaldi took refuge here on being chased by the Pontifical troops.

San Quirico – Orvieto
The Castle we admire near Orvieto today, in direction of Montefiascone, was rebuilt in the 19th century by Paolo Zampi, for 30 years engineer of the Cathedral of Orvieto. The engineer from Orvieto, assisted by the historian Luigi Fumi, restored it in accordance with archive documents.

Capecchio – Baschi
Erected on the remains of an ancient, small fortress called Orlando’s tower (Torre di Orlando), the Capecchio Castle, during the course of its long history, has been subjected to various uses: fortress, convent, lazzaretto, refuge for travellers. It has been completely renovated and restored to its ancient medieval splendour.

Montalfina – Castelgiorgio
Completely embattled, fortified with as many as 5 towers (four on the sides and one in the centre), Montalfina castle is a first-rate construction. It has been destroyed several times in the course of centuries, but has always been rebuilt: its position between Lazio, Etruria and Umbria was too important to let a castle fall into decadence, which, together with Alfina Tower, Castel Viscardo, Monterubiaglio e La Sala, became an important strategic bastion between Orvieto and Bolsena. In 1328, it was laid waste by Ladislao d’Angiò during the siege of Orvieto. Great destroyers but also illustrious constructors: such as the Monaldeschi family in the 15th century; Giorgio della Rovere, Bishop of Orvieto, who at the end of the 15th century elected the Castle his summer residence; the Ravizza family, who, in the 17th century, turned it into an important farm.

Montiolo – Castelgiorgio
This is a typical Renaissance period castle, built during the second half of the 16th century, along the road between Orvieto and Bolsena, which was at the time the main communication route between the Pontifical State and Tuscany. Different from many other fortresses, it had a period of splendour: the building belonged to the Marquis Filippo Antonio Gualtiero, an important figure during the Risorgimento and the Unification of Italy. In the second half of the 19th century, it became the property of the Counts of Faina, who elected it their residence.

Castle of Madonna Alonia – Castelviscardo
Situated 500 metres above sea level, the castle has a positively panoramic position over all the Paglia valley. The construction has a trapeze shape and today you enter the castle by means of an 18th century gate. In the 14th century it was disputed between the Guelphs and Ghibellines of Orvieto. During the early 16th century, Pietro Monaldeschi rebuilt it with typical Renaissance characterisitics. The Castle contains a precious historical archive.

Fiori Castle – Montegabbione
Situated on a hill, at about 540 metres above sea level, the Castle still commands respect, despite its poor state of repair which has caused collapses and subsidence in the surrounding walls. The dimensions of the Fiori Castle are remarkable and testify its importance over the course of centuries. Built during the 13th century, it was disputed by Orvieto, the Counts of Marsciano, the Orsini family and the Monaldeschi della Vipera family. Many of the attacks were successful: in 1389 it was sacked by the mercenary Giovanni Tarlati, at the head of 400 knights and 200 foot soldiers. The failed assaults were numerous: in 1507 the Castle was attacked by the Lords of Montegiove who could not conquer it despite an army of 150 foot soldiers.

Montegiove – Montegabbione
Sombre, thanks also to its excellent state of preservation, the castle stands with all its elements intact: walls, moat, corner towers, keep and ravelin. Even on the inside, where the embattled palace and the chapel stand, there has been no plundering: the library, the armoury, the vast reception rooms are abundant with treasures. Site of great battles, the Castle was disputed between Orvieto, Perugia, Viterbo and between powerful families, such as the Counts of Marsciano, the Atti family, the Monaldeschi family. Then again, also a place of great mystic crisis: such as that of Nerio of Bulgaruccio, lord of the Castle, who in the second half of the 13th century joined the Franciscan third order. The inside Chapel is dedicated to the beata Angelina, born in the Castle in 1357. The noblewoman dedicated her life to the poor and to charitable actions, breaking with the “social constraints” to the point of being accused of witchcraft.

Parrano Castle – Parrano
For centuries it was disputed between Orvieto and Perugia. However, Rome, on several occasions, also claimed its “rights” in order to win the castle, which dominates the Chiani Valley. Situated on a hill, it presents a huge five-storey building, with two embattled square towers and at its foot the inhabited village which stretches along the ridge. Reduced to ruins on several occasions, it was rebuilt in the 18th century by the Marescotti family to create a noble residence. The origins of the building are actually Roman and already in the year 1000, there were documents which certify the existence of the castle which, in the XI century saw the Parrano I Bulgarelli family as Lords, a Lumbard family who came from Tuscany. The Lords of the castle did not, however, always find glory and fortune, quite the opposite: in 1452 Ranuccio di Manno was driven out and his lands occupied by farmers; in 1609 Marcantonio Marescotti, Count of Parrano, was hacked to death at the Manor Gate by Ercole and Ubaldino Marsciano di Pirro.

Rubello Castle – Porano
This is the union of a series of buildings, over which four tall, majestic towers rise up, one of which was used as a bell-tower by the Church which is part of this XIII century complex. It was a front line outpost, used by Orvieto to defend itself first from Viterbo, with success, and then from Ladislao D’Angiò, with less luck. The not easy life of this fortified settlement is evident in the decision of Pope Martino V in 1420, to exonerate the castle from the payment of taxes to permit the reparation of damages sustained in war.