The French Prisons

Within Caetani Castle lies a striking space: the French Prisons. Located on the raised floors of the Maschio and the Maschietto Towers, these rooms testify to the castle’s military and defensive role, as well as its political and strategic importance over the centuries. They were built when the castle was under Caetani control. 

During this period, the fortress served as a key garrison overseeing the Pedemontana road and the main communication routes between Rome and the Kingdom of Naples. Some murals, still visible today, offer tangible evidence of the castle’s dramatic history and the experiences of its prisoners. They offer valuable insights into life within the fortress during one of its most challenging periods.