HISTORY The origins of the Caetani castle, which dominates the medieval village of Sermoneta, date back to the 13th century when it was in the hands of the Annibaldi family
HISTORY
The origins of the Caetani castle, which dominates the medieval village of Sermoneta, date back to the 13th century when it was in the hands of the Annibaldi family. By then it was already characterized by two fortified keeps, the Maschio, a 42-metre-high tower, and an adjacent smaller, known as the Maschietto.
In 1297, Pietro Caetani, used the suasion of his uncle Pope Boniface VIII to acquire a number of properties from the Annibaldi family. These included Sermoneta and Bassiano. In the 15th century, the Caetani significantly expanded the castle at Sermoneta. The collegiate church of San Pietro, where the remains of the Caetani family were kept, was re-sited within the Piazza D’Armi. The Camere Pinte, frescoed rooms with mythological and allegorical scenes, date back to the 1470.
In 1499 Pope Borgia Alexander VI, excommunicated the Caetani and took possession of their property, depriving them of privileges and rights. Under the Borgia, the castle became a military fortress: the city walls were reinforced, the citadel was constructed, as was the walkway running the length of the battlements. The upper level of the Maschio was destroyed and with it the Church of San Pietro in Corte, which was razed to the ground with no respect for the remains of the Caetani buried there since 1400.
In 1504, soon after the death of Pope Alexander VI, Pope Julius II Della Rovere reinstated the Caetani as Lords of Sermoneta.
In the course of its history, the Caetani castle has hosted emperors, popes, princes and cardinals, and grandiose celebrations. In On 2 April 1536 a great honour was paid to Charles V, who, accompanied by 1000 knights and 4000 infantrymen, visited the castle as guest of Boniface I Caetani (1514–1574).
In the 17th century the Caetani began to move away, and with Sermoneta no longer having its former strategic importance the castle was gradually abandoned. In the 18th century the castle suffered devastation and looting by the Spanish and French military, and during the 19th century it was used as a military warehouse.
Only at the end of the 19th century did the Caetani return to occupy it at which time they initiated major restoration work, transforming the castle into a social and educational centre.
Today the Roffredo Caetani Foundation protects and preserves the castle, thus perpetuating the work begun by the centuries-old Caetani family.
https://www.frcaetani.it
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- Un centro sociale ed educativo
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