Castel Savello

Castel Savello is a castle ruin located on Monte Savello overlooking the Lazio countryside. The structure features thick stone walls and multiple defensive positions that once provided wide views across the surrounding hills.

The Savelli family built this fortress between 1216 and 1287 as a symbol of their regional power. Military forces destroyed it in 1435 during a campaign against Roman barons who controlled the countryside.

The ruins reflect how local nobles displayed their power through fortified strongholds in the countryside. Walking through the site reveals the local authority structures that shaped life in the Roman hinterland for centuries.

You can reach the ruins by following Via Monte Savello, located about 40 kilometers southeast of Rome. The hilltop location requires some walking, but the paths are generally clear and straightforward.

The fortress was built during the reigns of two popes who shared the same name, revealing how construction spanned multiple generations. This coincidence underscores how the family's regional influence persisted over decades.