The great Sala dei Baroni is among the most imposing work carried out by the Caetani in the early 14th century. Located adjacent to the Maschio Tower and now known as ‘Casa dei Signori’ (Hall of the Lords), it was the place where the main affairs of the fief were conducted and where family life was concentrated. From its construction, the great hall served as a meeting place for the people.
It was accessed from the inner courtyard (today’s Piazza d’Armi) and, according to the statutes, contained the curia, where the court comprising the judge, clerk and notaries convened. The hall was vast, extending some 22 metres in length. Today, although the main structural elements remain, it is no longer possible to perceive its full original extent, as during the Borgia period one bay was removed and the remaining space subdivided into numerous smaller rooms.
The memory of the original hall survives through contemporary documents, which describe walls covered in frescoes and three large, pointed arches that supported the roof and divided the hall into four bays. According to contemporary accounts, a lavish banquet was held here: tables laden with meats, local wines, and spiced sweets, while music and speeches echoed along the walls, masking the underlying political tensions.
It was a pivotal moment, demonstrating the castle’s ability to shift from a military stronghold to a diplomatic stage.
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