Farnese Castle
| Farnese Castle | ||
|---|---|---|
| Alternative name (s): | Farnese Palace | |
| Creation time : | 13th Century | |
| Castle type : | Hilltop castle | |
| Conservation status: | restored | |
| Construction: | Quarry stone | |
| Place: | San Valentino in Abruzzo Citeriore | |
| Geographical location | 42 ° 13 '54.6 " N , 13 ° 59' 9.4" E | |
| Height: | 459 m slm | |
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The Castello Farnese is a hilltop castle in the highest part of the Italian municipality of San Valentino in Abruzzo Citeriore in the province of Pescara .
history
The Normans had the castle built in the second half of the 13th century. It belonged to the monastery of San Clemente a Casauria , then fell successively to the Orsinis , to the Acquavivas and to the Farneses , until it was finally owned by Margaret of Parma in 1583 , who had it restored to its present form. Since then the castle has been called "Palazzo Farnese". The municipal administration was housed there until the Bourbon era in the 19th century.
description
At the Castello Farnese in the upper part of the village you can see the many partial collapses and restorations over the centuries, which have transformed it from a medieval castle with curtain wall to a noble palace . The facility has a circular floor plan; the surrounding wall is interrupted by watchtowers, some of which are now integrated into the palace from the 16th century. The actual palace has lost much of its original structure and consists of several stately rooms. In the entrance hall there is an inscription from 1507 that Giacomo di Tolfa had placed there.
Today's facility is more open in many parts, whereas the originally only entrance on the northeast side of the square is accessible via a two-flight staircase. The masonry made of mortared stones is composed of square stone blocks and reveals the many partial demolitions and reconstructions. The entrance hall opens onto the inner courtyard, which is formed by the many individual structures of the complex. The oldest building has two floors and is located in the area of the entrance. Immediately to the left of the building is the staircase of honor that connects the entrance with the square loggia , which is decorated with decorations from the 16th century. On the other hand, from the outside you can still see the structures that were added over time.
Sources and web links
- Borghi e paesi d'Abruzzo . Carsa, Pescara 2008. Volume 4. pp. 73-84: San Valentino in Abruzzo Citeriore .
- Farnese Palace . Comune di San Valentino in Abruzzo Citeriore. Retrieved April 20, 2020.