Castle of the Knights Hospitaller in Magione, Medieval fortress in Magione, Italy
The Castle of the Knights Hospitaller in Magione is a fortress featuring a square plan defined by round towers and battlements. A three-tiered loggia surrounds a central courtyard displaying Romanesque architectural elements at its core.
The fortress was founded in 1150 and initially served the Knights Templar as a stronghold. After 1312, the Knights Hospitaller took control and transformed it into a crucial rest stop for pilgrims traveling the Via Francigena.
The Magistral Church of San Giovanni in Jerusalem within the castle displays frescoes commissioned by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Orsini, reflecting the spiritual significance of the place. Visitors can observe these painted walls that speak to the religious mission the fortress served over time.
Visitors can explore the castle through guided tours to understand its inner layout and religious spaces fully. Summer months bring reenactments here that bring historical moments to life and enhance the visit.
The Grand Master of the Order of Malta uses the castle as a summer residence, signaling presence through a distinctive flag flying from the tower. This practice makes it one of the few castles in the world still inhabited by a governing order.
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