The original defensive fortress in the middle of Capodimonte was transformed by the Farnese family into a stately home thanks to a project of 1510 by Antonio Giamberti, called Sangallo the Younger.
To the octagonal building an elegant arched façade was added facing towards the square plus a bridge to the town.
The interior was enlarged and refined with a small and elegant inner courtyard with three rows of arches of granite, which serves as a portico on the ground floor.
On windows the name of Alessandro Farnese is carved. The grand hall is partly painted and has a wonderful view of the lake.
In an arcade of the reception hall with arches is an interesting fresco depicting a pope between two red canopies, surrounded by pages, squires and knights in armour on parade. Other rooms have frescoes dating back to the 1800s and early 1900s.
Within the walls of the fortress and the palace is a garden with some oriental ornamental plants.
In this fortress was born Giulia Farnese, sister of Pope Paul III, and legend has it that the sad spirit of Giulia emerges from the lake on particularly cold nights.
Giulia was very young in marriage to the Count Orsino Orsini of Pitigliano.
But 'La Bella' Giulia was madly in love with Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia, the future Pope Alexander VI, and became his secret lover. Rodrigo was old and died after a few years, leaving her saddened.
Follow us