Caetani Castle dates back to the 13th century. Over its long history, this splendid fortress has withstood attacks and wars, hosting notable figures and witnessing centuries of events. It stands as one of the most complex and best-preserved examples of military architecture in Lazio. In 1297, Pope Boniface VIII — born Benedetto Caetani — acquired Sermoneta from the Annibaldi family. From that moment, the castle remained in the hands of the Caetani, with the exception of the brief period under the Borgias. On 22 September 1499, Pope Alexander VI excommunicated the Caetani and confiscated their possessions, citing alleged disobedience. Sermoneta was sold for 80,000 gold ducats to Lucrezia Borgia. With this move, Alexander VI — the Warrior Pope — transformed the town into a formidable fortress of the Papal States. In 1503, following the Pope’s death, the Caetani regained possession of the castle. Two centuries later, in 1798, a detachment of French soldiers arrived in Sermoneta. The castle was looted, the armoury dispersed, and its 38 cannons removed. Its numerous prisons, located in the towers and underground, were used until 1816. For about a century afterwards, the castle was rented to local farmers, and its lavish halls were used to store grain. By the late 19th century, the Caetani returned to care for the fortress, undertaking extensive restoration works. Since 1972, the castle has been owned by the Roffredo Caetani Foundation ONLUS, established by Princess Lelia Caetani, the family’s last descendant. Today, the castle hosts cultural initiatives and an international music campus.
The castle’s interiors have long served as a backdrop for swashbuckling films, and the building continues to host such productions to this day. Many couples also choose the castle as a striking setting for wedding photography. Of particular interest are the original furnishings preserved in some rooms, most notably the canopy bed on the first floor of the Maschio Tower. Visitors can also admire Lucrezia Borgia’s bedroom, the Cardinal’s House with a painting by Girolamo Siciolante, the Painted Rooms, and the internal walkway of the walls. Several areas, including the stables and the prisons, have recently been restored and opened to the public. The castle stables also served as a filming location for Roberto Benigni and Massimo Troisi’s film Nothing Left to Do but Cry.
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