Castle of Fumone, Medieval castle in Fumone, Italy
The Castle of Fumone is a medieval hilltop fortress in Lazio, built with fourteen towers linked by thick stone walls. Inside the walls, there are living quarters, cellars, and terraced gardens that follow the slope of the hill on which it sits.
The fortress was built in the 11th century and served the Church as a lookout point for a long time, as it sits high enough to watch over a wide stretch of the surrounding land. During the medieval period it was also used as a prison, holding high-profile captives within its walls.
The castle still belongs to a noble family, who live there and open parts of it to visitors. Inside, the rooms hold original furniture, paintings, and personal objects from different centuries that give a sense of how generations of the same family lived.
The site sits on a steep hill, so wear comfortable shoes suited for stone paths and stairs. Going in the morning generally means fewer people around and better light over the landscape below.
Pope Celestine V died here in 1296 as a prisoner, just months after being forced to give up the papacy, making him one of the very few popes ever to resign. A small room inside the castle is dedicated to his memory and holds objects connected to his time there.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
